Thome has 2 homers to lead Chisox

[August 06, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Jim Thome homered twice, giving him 561 for his career, and Gavin Floyd pitched into the ninth Wednesday night as the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 for their fifth win in six games.

Floyd (9-6), who was aided by three double plays, allowed six hits and two runs in eight-plus innings. His bid for a complete game ended in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera had back-to-back singles and he was replaced by Matt Thornton. Kendry Morales then hit a sacrifice fly for the Angels' second run.

Floyd also pitched out of a jam in the eighth after a single by Gary Matthews Jr. and an error on Paul Konerko -- the White Sox's third miscue of the night. Maicer Izturis was thrown out trying to bunt and Floyd struck out Bobby Abreu looking to end the threat.

Thome hit a three-run shot to greet reliever Darren Oliver in the sixth -- his second of the game and 20th of the season. With 561 homers, the 38-year-old slugger is two homers behind Reggie Jackson, who is in 12th place all-time.

Thome's drive into the left center field bleachers came after Gordon Beckham doubled and Jermaine Dye singled to finish Angels starter Sean O'Sullivan (3-1).

Thome's first homer, a solo shot to left, came off O'Sullivan and tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth. Konerko hit a solo shot off Brian Fuentes in the bottom of the eighth, his 21st of the season.

Chicago took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when A.J. Pierzynski doubled, hustled to third on a flyball and scored on Jayson Nix's soft two-out single to right.

The Angels got their unearned run in the first with two outs when Abreu singled before Guerrero hit a line drive that went off the glove of Chicago right fielder Dye and over his shoulder for a three-base error.

O'Sullivan, in his fourth stint with the Angels this season, had pitched a no-hitter for Triple-A Salt Lake on July 28, missing a perfect game against Sacramento by a seventh-inning walk.

He gave up six hits and was charged with four runs.

NOTES: Thome now has 44 multihomer games, including three this season. He turns 39 on Aug. 27. ... Angels outfielder Torii Hunter (15-day DL with a strained right adductor) had a "great workout" before the game Wednesday, according to Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia. "He ran the bases very aggressively," Scioscia said. "How much longer it takes, I'm not sure. But he took a big step forward." ... White Sox SS Alexei Ramirez missed his sixth straight game with a sprained ankle but could return to the lineup Friday. Closer Bobby Jenks was sidelined with kidney stones.

[Associated Press; By RICK GANO]

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