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Floyd superb as White Sox sink Athletics

Jul 6, 2008 - 4:11 AM By Gene Chamberlain PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Gavin Floyd stopped the bleeding for the Chicago White Sox.

Floyd pitched 7 1/3 innings of three-hit ball Saturday, lifting the Chicago White Sox to a 6-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson and Alexi Ramirez all homered for Chicago (50-37), which became the fourth team to reach 50 wins in the American League.

It was a much-needed strong outing by Floyd (10-4), as the White Sox had dropped two straight to Oakland following a seven-game winning streak.

"Gavin should make the All-Star roster," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think he throws the ball well enough. He should have had a couple more wins early in the season.

"This kid has been really consistent all year long. I hope he goes (to the All-Star Game) - but doesn't pitch."

The righthander, who walked three and struck out six, became the fifth pitcher to win 10 games in the American League.

"I guess what I've learned from all the adversity I've been through in my career is to focus better on every pitch," Floyd said.

Floyd was pleased that his manager thought he had All-Star potential.

"It's just kind of a plus if it happens," Floyd said. "So I just worry about each start and if it happens, great, and if not then I'm just going to try to pick up as many W's as I can."

Floyd is 6-1 over his last eight starts and improved to 7-1 at U.S. Cellular Field.

Swisher began the scoring for Chicago in the second when he sent a pitch from Oakland rookie starter Greg Smith (5-7) into the seats in left for a 1-0 lead. It was Swisher's 12th blast.

With one on and no outs in the bottom of the fifth, Anderson belted a 2-0 offering from Smith over the left field wall for his fifth homer to increase the home team's lead to three.

"I think most of the home runs are big ones," Guillen said. "It seems like every time we hit one, it puts us back in the game or gives us the lead."

Anderson said he would rather leave the power-hitting to the big bats in the Chicago lineup.

"Pauley (Konerko), Jermaine (Dye), Carlos Quentin and Jim (Thome) hit enough home runs for everyone," said Anderson, who has been platooning in center with rookie Dewayne Wise. "I just want to sit back and watch them.

"When guys like me pick one up, it's just a bonus. Those guys are home run hitters. We have a lot of other home run hitters on the team."

Orlando Cabrera stretched the advantage to 5-0 in the sixth with a two-run double off Athletics reliever Chad Gaudin, and rookie Ramirez launched a solo shot off Andrew Brown in the eighth to make it 6-0.

"I'm not going to say it too loud because ... they'll start throwing breaking balls to him, but Alexi has got some serious pop," Guillen said.

Smith allowed four runs, five hits and a season high-tying six walks in five innings for Oakland.

Ryan Sweeney drilled a solo homer in the ninth off White Sox reliever Scott Linebrink in the ninth for Oakland's only run.