Floyd wins for 1st time in 5 weeks for Chisox

[June 30, 2010]  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gavin Floyd pitched into the seventh inning to earn his first win in five weeks as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Floyd, who was 0-3 with a 2.79 ERA in six starts since beating Florida on May 22, held the Royals to three runs, one unearned, and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. In his previous two 2010 starts against the Royals, Floyd was 0-2, allowing 11 runs and 23 hits in 12 1/3 innings.

Floyd (3-7) entered the game 0-4 in five career starts at Kauffman Stadium and 1-7 with a 5.53 ERA in 10 career starts against the Royals. He beat them for the first time since June 3, 2008.

Royals starter Brian Bannister (7-6) was lifted after four innings, allowing four runs and eight hits on 90 pitches. Bannister lost for the second time in eight starts at Kauffman Stadium.

The White Sox hit four consecutive singles in the third inning for three runs. A.J. Pierzynski and Gordon Beckham had run-producing singles, while Davan Viciedo scored on a grounder by Juan Pierre.

The White Sox made it 4-0 in the fourth when Beckham doubled and scored on Alexei Ramirezs two-out single.

The Royals trimmed the lead to 4-3 in the fifth on Wilson Betemits double that scored Alberto Callaspo, who led off the inning with a single. Scott Podsedniks single scored Betemit and Yuniesky Betancourt.

The Royals loaded the bases on two singles and a walk in the eighth, but J.J. Putz, the third White Sox pitcher, retired Mike Aviles on a fielders choice grounder to end the inning. Putz worked the ninth to log his second save in three opportunities. White Sox closer Bobby Jenks is on the bereavement list.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was ejected in the fourth inning by home plate umpire Tim Timmons, the fourth time he has been thrown out this season.

NOTES: Viciedo, a rookie, started at 3B, his third start since the White Sox promoted him June 18 from Triple-A Charlotte. ... OF Andruw Jones, who is hitting .075 (3 for 40) over his past 18 games and has not homered since June 3, was not in the White Sox lineup. ... The Royals' bullpen worked four scoreless innings and has allowed one earned run in 21 2-3 innings over the past eight games. ... Royals C Jason Kendall threw out two of three would-be base stealers. Kendall had thrown out only 18 of 80 runners entering the game.

[Associated Press]

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