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Erstad, White Sox end slide with win over Angels

May 6, 2007 - 12:07 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Darin Erstad and the Chicago White Sox ended their longest slide of the season against one of the top pitchers in the American League.

Erstad had two hits and two RBI against his former team and Jon Garland tossed seven strong innings to outduel John Lackey as the White Sox held on for a 6-3 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday.

It was the first victory in eight days for Chicago, which snapped a season-high five-game skid.

"It's definitely a good feeling to get back on the winning side of the picture," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It seems like we haven't won a game in a month, but we'll take this one."

The White Sox managed a total of just seven runs during the slide but broke through against Lackey (4-3), who entered with a 2.19 ERA - the third-best mark in the league.

"It was just a matter of time," Erstad said. "I know we've been scuffling, but we will be fine and keep working hard to get some wins."

A key member of the Angels for the first 11 seasons of his career, Erstad signed a one-year contract with the White Sox this past offseason. The veteran outfielder helped ignite Chicago's offense in the first inning Saturday and also drove in runs in the second and ninth innings.

"I had a lot of great memories here and so many great teammates over the years here in Anaheim," Erstad said. "But I have to go out and treat them like any other team."

Lackey lost for the first time in four home starts this season, allowing four runs and eight hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in eight innings. The righthander fell to 3-4 lifetime against the White Sox.

"I felt like I settled down after the first couple innings," Lackey said. "They have a good lineup over there, and I know I just have to minimize my mistakes against them. Today I didn't do that."

Garland (1-2), on the other hand, pitched just well enough to record his first win of the season.

"I want to win every game I start, but it took longer than expected," Garland said. "It's just good to get a win finally."

Aside from running into a bit of trouble in the fourth and fifth, Garland was efficient, yielding three runs and eight hits with one walk and one strikeout. The righthander threw just 83 pitches - 54 for strikes.

"It was that time in the ball game where I got into some trouble," Garland said. "Ozzie did what he had to do and take me out in favor of the situation."

Lefthander Matt Thornton and righthander Mike MacDougal combined for a scoreless eighth and Bobby Jenks logged a perfect ninth for his ninth save.

"We have an unbelievable bullpen in my eyes," Garland said. "I have to tip my cap to them for helping me get a win."

Chicago stormed to an early three-run lead against Lackey, scoring once in the opening frame and twice in the second.

Paul Konerko got the White Sox on the board in the first with an RBI single, and Alex Cintron ripped a run-scoring double in the second to double the advantage. Erstad plated Cintron with a single two batters later to make it 3-0.

Anaheim finally broke through against Garland with two runs in the fourth. Orlando Cabrera roped an RBI double and scored two batters later on Vladimir Guerrero's sacrifice fly.

The Angels forged a 3-3 tie on Chone Figgins' RBI double in the fifth but failed to muster any offense over the following four frames, collecting just three hits over that span.

"We did a good job coming back and tying the game up but we made mistakes that they took advantage of and put runs on us," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Chicago added a pair of important insurance runs in the ninth. Erstad made it 5-3 when he reached on lefthander Darren Oliver's throwing error, allowing Cintron to score. Rob Mackowiak capped the scoring later in the frame with an RBI fielder's choice.

Cintron had two hits and scored two runs while Erstad and Pablo Ozuna each stole a base for the White Sox, who pounded out 10 hits.

Cabrera had two hits for the Angels, who have lost three of their last four contests after a season-high four-game winning streak.