Buehrle avoids bad inning in no-decision

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- On the bright side for the White Sox on Sunday …

Starter Mark Buehrle was pretty good against the Rays at Tropicana Field, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits over 6 innings.

Buehrle was particularly pleased about the fifth inning. After Jonny Gomez led off with a single and Shawn Riggans doubled, Gabe Gross tied the game at 3-3 with a 2-run triple.

Before the triple, Gross was a career 6-for-64 against left-handed pitchers. Gross was stranded at third base after Buehrle wiggled out of trouble.

"I stayed out of that big inning," Buehrle said. "I got into a couple jams. I made some pitches, they found some holes, I missed a spot and (Gross) hit a triple and drove in a couple runs. But I stayed out of that big inning and kept us in there."

The Sox could have taken the lead in the 10th inning when pinch runner Pablo Ozuna was on third base with one out, but the offense again failed to come up with the big hit.

"Obviously, that's the other side of the ball," Buehrle said about the offense. "I'm not familiar with them. I'm terrible at hitting. They're doing a better job than I am, so I can't comment on that."

Buehrle said the time is right for the White Sox to get back to U.S. Cellular Field and regroup.

"It will be nice to come home," Buehrle said. "We'll have the home crowd there and be behind us, so it definitely will be nice."