Floyd, bullpen sharp in Sox 4-1 win over A's

If you're seeking a poster child for the White Sox metamorphosis, look no farther than Gavin Floyd's tousled hair and overpowering right arm.

In Floyd's first 11 starts this season, he muddled through with a 2-6 record and a 6.64 ERA. Not coincidentally, the White Sox suffered through a 24-32 beginning.

But in his most recent 11 starts, Floyd owns a 5-2 record and an absurd 1.06 ERA.

Not coincidentally, the White Sox own 35 wins in their last 48 games during Cy Floyd's renaissance.

Floyd wrapped up his second set of 11 starts by retiring the first 15 Oakland batters he faced Sunday afternoon.

After losing his perfect game, no-hitter and shutout in the sixth when he allowed a walk and 3 consecutive singles, Floyd powered his way out of a bases-loaded jam and went on to earn the win in the White Sox's 4-1 victory that closed out a 6-1 homestand.

"He has great stuff, and we all know that," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "When he throws strikes, he can be very nasty."

Nastier than everyone else in the bigs.

Floyd's 1.06 ERA since June 8 ranks as tops in the majors - San Diego's Mat Latos is next at 1.40 - but he claims his confidence hasn't wavered since Opening Day.

"Whatever happens, happens - whether they hit a home run or swing and miss," Floyd said. "Just go out there and try to repeat that."

Floyd (7-8) needed to be at his best to outduel two-time former Sox farmhand Gio Gonzalez (9-7).

The 24-year-old left-hander, who registered a career-high 11 strikeouts as part of his first complete game, set down the first 13 White Sox he faced.

Carlos Quentin broke Gonzalez's spell with a line-drive single, and the Sox loaded the bases with two outs for lightly used infielder Brent Lillibridge, who was giving Gordon Beckham a day off at second base.

Lillibridge reached out to catch up with a high fastball and drilled a sinking liner to right. Matt Carson laid out for a diving catch, but the ball bounced past him to the fence for a 3-run triple.

Not shabby for a guy who had received just 2 at-bats in the previous 15 days.

"It's pretty tough," Lillibridge said. "But sometimes as the season goes, you don't miss pitches. You hit the pitch that you have and you don't miss it.

"Other years you do (miss it) and you're hitting .220 or .250. It's just working out so well for me right now. The hard work has paid off big time for me with (Greg) Walker, and I just hope to carry that into the postseason."

The White Sox' postseason chances will come into focus shortly.

They retain a half-game lead over Minnesota going into a grueling stretch that features 13 games with Detroit and the Twins over the next 17 days.

"I just try to win every series," Guillen said before cracking a smile. "I think a lot of people say (your) enemy, you've got to keep them close. In baseball, your enemy, you've got to keep them far away from you."

Lindsey Willhite's game tracker White Sox 4, Oakland 1Halfway to perfection: Sox starter Gavin Floyd and Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez combined to retire the game's first 28 batters. Carlos Quentin ended the double-perfecto with a lined single in the fifth.Ridiculous RBI ratio: Second baseman Brent Lillibridge started for the first time since July 16 and drilled a bases-loaded triple in the fifth. He owns 13 RBI in 31 at-bats this season.Cust's Ks: Gavin Floyd, who lost his no-hitter with one out in the sixth, fanned A's DH Jack Cust swinging three times on full-count pitches. The first K came on a slider, the second on a fastball and the third on a back-door slider.False512246White Sox catcher Ramon Castro, left, congratulates relief pitcher Bobby Jenks.Associated PressFalse