ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -Cliff Floyd lined a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Floyd's fourth homer of the season came against Scott Linebrink (2-1). It ended a stretch in which the White Sox bullpen had not allowed an earned run in 28 innings.

A crowd of 14,679 saw the Rays win a matchup of division leaders and raise their league-best record to 33-22.

Floyd homered on an 0-1 pitch and enabled Tampa Bay to overcome going only 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Dan Wheeler (1-3), the fourth Rays pitcher of the night, worked one scoreless inning for the victory.

The Rays took a 1-0 lead on B.J. Upton's RBI single in the third inning.

Alexei Ramirez homered in the fifth for the White Sox.Rangers 3, Athletics 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Kevin Millwood allowed one run through six innings in his first start in almost three weeks and rookie Brandon Boggs matched a career high with three RBIs for the Rangers.

Millwood (3-3) gave up five hits, struck out five and didn't issue a walk in his first start since May 10 against Oakland. He was forced to leave that outing due to a strained right groin after throwing 12 pitches and recording two outs.

Millwood was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day and was activated Thursday.

Boggs was a late addition to the starting lineup when Milton Bradley took himself out after feeling lightheaded before the game.

C.J. Wilson got three outs for his 11th save in 13 chances.

Justin Duchscherer (4-4) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings for Oakland.

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