Six was the magic number for the Rays, who got just that many runs in each of their three ALDS victories to pull away from Chicago.

Akinori Iwamura led the Tampa Bay offense with seven hits, including a double, a triple and a home run. He also drove in four. Jermaine Dye had six hits for Chicago.

J.P. Howell made three appearances for Tampa Bay out of the bullpen, striking out six and allowing just two hits in 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Path to the ALDS: Tampa Bay (97-65) won the AL East by two games; Chicago (89-74) won the AL Central by one game?

Managers: Joe Maddon, TB; Ozzie Guillen ,CWS