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White Sox dominate Cubs to avoid sweep, take City Series

The White Sox' bats woke up just in time to preserve city bragging rights.

With Gavin Floyd on the mound, the White Sox dominated the Cubs 7-0 Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field to win the season series 4-2 over the Cubs. The White Sox also avoided being swept for the first time this season.

“We were trying to win the game, and that's it,” said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “Nobody wants to get swept, but I don't really worry about the sweep or no sweep.”

Floyd improved his record to 5-7 and earned his first win since May 27. Ventura gave his pitcher a vote of confidence after Floyd allowed 4 hits over 6 innings.

“I think anytime a pitcher goes through a spurt like he did before this start, they're frustrated, but he comes in, works and does his thing,” Ventura said. “I think he has that in him to be consistent with that too. It's a credit to him to wait through it and be able to pitch like he did tonight.”

White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski said he saw definite improvement from Floyd.

“He seemed like he was working a little bit quicker and he just located the ball much better tonight than he had the last few starts,” Pierzynski said. “Hopefully it's a step in the right direction.”

The Sox' offense was highlighted by Gordon Beckham's 3-run opposite-field home run in the sixth inning, which gave the Sox a 6-0 lead. Beckham had hit 2 home runs against the Cubs during first crosstown series last month at Wrigley Field.

The Sox stayed within a half-game of the first-place Cleveland Indians and snapped a three-game losing streak. Beckham said the team isn't scoreboard-watching at this point.

“I think if they had asked us at the beginning of the season if we'd take being a half-game up or a half-game out at almost the end of June, I think we would've taken it,” Beckham said. “We're playing the right way. We've had a tough week and a half, but tonight was a good start in the right direction.”

The Cubs were flat at the plate, being shut out while managing only 4 hits.

Randy Wells, who started in place of the injured Ryan Dempster, threw 3 innings, walking 4 and giving up 3 runs.

“The bottom line was the walks, again, with him,” said Cubs manager Dale Sveum. “He just can't seem to maintain innings without walking anybody.”

Sveum said he will wait to decide whether to give Wells another start or explore other options in Triple A, such as Chris Volstad or Chris Rusin.

The White Sox remain at home to take on the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Cubs will travel to Arizona. Both teams resume action Friday.

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