(My Sportsbook) - Rookie southpaw Clayton Richard will attempt to keep the Chicago White Sox in possession of first place in the American League Central tonight when they open a three-game set with the host Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

However, before the series gets underway the suspended game from back on April 28 at U.S. Cellular Field will be completed. That game was tied at 3-3 in the 11th inning before rain caused the game to be suspended.

Baltimore's George Sherrill and Chicago's Scott Linebrink were on the mound when the game was suspended, but both are currently on the disabled list.

The White Sox will likely throw either D.J. Carrasco or Matt Thornton when the game resumes on Monday, but the Orioles have yet to name a pitcher for the contest.

Chicago entered Sunday's action a half-game behind the Minnesota Twins in the race for the Central, but took over the top spot when the Twins dropped a 5-3 decision to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim while the White Sox were rallying to nip the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-5, in 10 innings.

A.J. Pierzynski singled to start the 10th, and headed to second on Carlos Quentin's fly out. Jermaine Dye grounded to Jason Bartlett at short, and Pierzynski was caught between second and third. He kept the rundown going, though, and as he was turning to head back towards third he brushed Rays third baseman Willy Aybar's shoulder and fell to the dirt.

Aybar was called for interference on the play, giving Pierzynski third base. Jim Thome was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, and Alexei Ramirez lined a single to right to keep the Rays from sweeping the White Sox.

Bobby Jenks (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the win, while Mark Buehrle took a no-decision after allowing five runs -- two earned -- on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. Thome and Quentin homered for the White Sox, who have won six of eight.

Minnesota begins a three-game series in Seattle tonight.

For the White Sox tonight will be Richard, an eighth-round draft choice in 2005. He made his major-league debut on July 23 against Texas and was winless through three starts and a one-inning relief appearance before finally topping the Mariners, 5-0, in his most recent outing on Tuesday.

In that start, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound was nearly pristine through six innings, allowing just five hits and walking one while striking out two.

Overall, in 20 innings of work, he's allowed 30 hits and 15 earned runs, while walking five batters and striking out 15.

He has never faced the Orioles.

Baltimore, which brings up the rear in the AL East, will start a rookie lefty of its own in Chris Waters.

The Lakeland, Florida native debuted on August 5 against the Angels and scored a 3-0 win after allowing just one hits over eight scoreless innings.

He followed that up with a pair of no-decisions before defeating the Boston Red Sox, 11-6, in his most recent start on Aug. 20.

Overall, in four starts, the former fifth-round pick of the Atlanta Braves has surrendered 24 hits and 12 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings while walking 10 and striking out 10.

He has never faced the White Sox.

In Baltimore, Robinson Cano went 4-for-5, and hit the go-ahead homer in the seventh inning as the New York Yankees edged the Orioles, 8-7, to complete a three-game sweep.

Ramon Hernandez had a pinch-hit single to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games for the O's, who have dropped six of their last eight. Brian Roberts went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer to stretch his hit streak to 10 games. Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff both hit solo homers in defeat.

Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera left after just 3 2/3 innings after he yielded seven runs on nine hits and three walks.

The Yankees jumped on top for good in the seventh inning as Cano broke the 7-7 tie with a 425-foot solo homer off Jamie Walker (1-2) to center field.

Chicago has won three of its five matchups with the O's this season.