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Floyd, White Sox top struggling Tigers

Aug 5, 2007 - 9:32 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Gavin Floyd may have secured a spot in the Chicago White Sox rotation.

Floyd pitched six-plus scoreless innings and the bullpen made it stand up as the White Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers, 3-1, on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.

Pitching in place of the struggling Jose Contreras, Floyd allowed seven hits and did not walk a batter while striking out six. Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen went with the 24-year-old righthander after watching Contreras lose his last seven starts and 10 of his last dozen outings.

"I won't make a decision on the rotation for a few days," Guillen said. "I have to see how Contreras will fit in. If he (Floyd) pitches the way he did today, he deserves a shot."

Floyd (1-1) did not allow a Detroit baserunner to reach third base during his outing, which ended after he allowed a leadoff single to Mike Rabelo in the seventh.

"I felt pretty good," Floyd said. "I made some minor adjustments, and the key today was to be able to throw my fastball for strikes. I was able to get my curve over when I needed to and was able to give us a chance to win. I hope that I can build on this and better."

Ryan Bukvich, Boone Logan and Mike MacDougal bridged the way to closer Bobby Jenks, who pitched a perfect ninth for his 32nd save of the season.

It was Floyd's first win as a member of the White Sox, having tallied seven career victories for the Philadelphia Phillies between 2004-2006.

Despite having three scoring opportunities wiped out by double plays in the first five innings, the White Sox built a 3-0 lead.

A.J. Pierzynski and Josh Fields roped back-to-back doubles off Detroit starter Jordan Tata (1-1) in the second inning to open the scoring. Two more runs crossed the plate in the fifth on consecutive RBI doubles by Jerry Owens and Darin Erstad.

After an intentional walk to slugger Jim Thome, Tata got Paul Konerko to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Winners of four straight and nine of 13, the White Sox collected just six hits in the victory.

"We caught the Tigers when they weren't playing well," Guillen said. "The next time it might be different."

Making his second start of the season since being recalled from Class AAA Toledo, Tata allowed three runs, five hits and four walks while striking out two. The 25-year-old righthander is filling in for Kenny Rogers, who is on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his shoulder.

"I didn't let the big guys hurt me," Tata said. "I just made some bad pitches to the bottom of the order, and they took advantage."

Magglio Ordonez's 434-foot blast to center field off MacDougal in the seventh was the only extra-base hit for the Tigers, who have lost a season-high five straight games.

"I'd like to have a few of those hitters back but I kept us in the ballgame," Tata said. "We're in a tough spot right now. There's so much talent around the room so its hard to believe we're not winning."

Detroit designated hitter Sean Casey was removed from the game with a left elbow contusion in the sixth, three innings after being hit by a pitch in the third.

Though the 33-year-old underwent X-rays on the elbow, which came back negative, he said he's simply "sore" and does not expect to miss any time.

"We're just in a funk right now," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "If you're not playing good and you're playing a team that is, you're going to get beat."

Though 10 games behind them in the American League Central Division standings, the White Sox are 8-4 against Detroit this year.

"This really shows how good this division is," Thome said. "To come into this park and sweep a team as good as the Tigers is just amazing. This shows that we haven't given up."