Gavin Floyd sharp as White Sox top Blue Jays 2-0

Gavin Floyd pitched 7 2-3 innings of four-hit ball and Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer to lead the White Sox to a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

Floyd (7-8) struck out three and walked two while improving to 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA in his last four starts. The 6-foot-6 right-hander received a standing ovation when he left in the eighth.

The White Sox have won five straight to move a season-high 10 games over .500. The AL Central leaders also have won a season-high seven straight at home.

Ricky Romero (8-4) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight.

Romero made one big mistake, and it was a costly one.

With two out in the fifth inning and Alexei Ramirez on first, Youkilis drove Romero's 1-1 pitch over the wall in center for his seventh homer of the season and No. 3 since he was acquired in a trade with the Red Sox.

With his clutch hitting and strong play at third base, Youkilis has quickly become a fan favorite in his first homestand with his new club. He has a go-ahead RBI in five games for the White Sox while hearing the familiar "Yooouk" salute from the crowd that was once a fixture at Fenway Park.

With closer Addison Reed getting the day off, Matt Thornton got four outs for his second save of the season. Jose Bautista hit a one-out drive in the ninth that left fielder Dayan Viciedo lost in the sun, but the White Sox recovered in time to cut down the All-Star slugger trying for a triple.

Bautista argued the call with third base umpire Derryl Cousins, but quickly left the field.

Brett Lawrie led off the game with a single, but Floyd did not allow another hit until J.P. Arencibia led off the sixth with a single. Arencibia was quickly retired on Lawrie's double-play ball.

Floyd entered with an 0-5 record and 7.26 career ERA against the Blue Jays.

NOTES: Youkilis has 13 RBIs in 12 games since joining the White Sox. ... White Sox manager Robin Ventura said LHP Chris Sale will pitch no more than one inning in the All-Star game on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Sale is 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA in his first season as a starter. The White Sox are closely monitoring Sale's workload. ... Blue Jays manager John Farrell set his rotation for the second half. Romero will start Friday, followed by Aaron Laffey, Carlos Villanueva, Henderson Alvarez and Brett Cecil. ... Lawrie left in the sixth inning with lower back tightness.