Inconsistency keeps Sox from getting any momentum going

So much for getting on that anticipated roll.

Manager Ozzie Guillen was hoping for one after Monday's impressive 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals, but the White Sox fell back into some old bad habits during Tuesday night's 7-2 loss at U.S. Cellular Field.

"It's kind of weird," Guillen said. "This ballclub plays like a champ one night, and 24 hours later we don't know. I get confused a lot.

"It's just something I expect every time I come to the game to play the game like we played (Monday), and we're not consistent. When you're not consistent a lot of things can happen. A lot of bad things can happen."

Sox starter Gavin Floyd battled early but took the loss after allowing 4 runs in the seventh inning.

"I got in situations early and I got out of them with minimal damage," Floyd said. "I got into a groove a little bit, and all of a sudden in that inning (seventh) they started getting some runs."

The White Sox already are 7 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins.

"We are doing the best we can," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "I'll never question anybody's effort. We are busting our tail every day and trying. Some days it works out and some days it doesn't.

"We want to win. We all came into this year thinking we were going to win. We believe we can win. We want to win. We've just got to do it."

The day after: Jake Peavy was brilliant in Monday night's 5-1 win over the Royals.

En route to earning his first victory of the season, Peavy pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits while striking out nine.

Even better, Peavy wasn't overly impressed with his outing the following day.

"I can get better," Peavy said. "I can get better with my location. I'm going to get better. I was myself last night.

"I was throwing 92-95 mph, had good breaking balls and was aggressive. I walked Chris Getz, the No. 9 guy, and that was just a lack of concentration. My pitches were just missing."

Peavy walked only one batter all night, and that was Getz. In his first 5 start, he walked 20 in 282/3 innings. White Sox fans were down on the reputed ace, but Peavy never lost confidence in himself.

"I've never thought about having a month like that," Peavy said of his lousy April. "I don't think I've had one season where I've given up more than 5 or so runs in anymore than 1 start. To do it, give up 5, then 7 a couple times, it's unbelievable.

"A lot of things were working against me. I'm just glad the boys stuck with me. No one got crazy down on me, and they just believed, as I did as well.

"But it was nice to have the support that Coop (pitching coach Don Cooper) and the staff gave to me, and my teammates. A lot of guys around here are struggling and we're here for one another, and I'm excited about that."

Coats check: According to a Kansas City radio station, the White Sox acquired outfielder Buck Coats from the Royals for cash considerations.

Coats, 27, is likely to play at Class AAA Charlotte. In parts of three major-league seasons with the Cubs, Reds and Blue Jays, Coats batted .193 with 1 home run and 3 RBI.