There’s an air of invincibility swirling around U.S. Cellular Field.
No matter how difficult the opponent or obstacle, the White Sox have found ways recently to overcome them.
Led by Jim Thome’s two home runs and Gavin Floyd’s steady pitching, the Sox pulled away Wednesday night to a 6-2 victory over the American League West-leading Angels despite three errors.
The Sox (56-52) remained one game behind the AL Central-leading Tigers as they have won five of their last six games against AL division leaders.
A triumph in Thursday’s series finale also would give them their first home series sweep of the season. The Sox’s last three-game sweep occurred June 29-July 1 at Cleveland — their next opponent.
Playing without shortstop Alexei Ramirez for the sixth consecutive game and knowing their bullpen has been worked hard lately didn’t overwhelm the Sox.
Nor did right fielder Jermaine Dye’s first-inning error that staked the Angels to a 1-0 lead concern them.
The Sox gradually have overcome their hex against starting pitchers they’re facing for the first time. In this game, they solved Sean O’Sullivan after the first time through the batting order.
In the last three weeks, the Sox have bested Rays prized left-hander David Price and Tigers rookie sensation Rick Porcello.
Thome led the comeback with an opposite-field home run in the fourth, and he smacked a three-run shot in the sixth off lefty Darren Oliver, who relieved O’Sullivan.
“Every time he hits a home run, it’s a big one,” manager Ozzie Guillen said.
This marked Thome’s 44th career multihomer game and his third of the season.
He increased his career home run total to 561 — two behind Reggie Jackson for 12th place on the all-time list.
Rookie Gordon Beckham continued his ascent when he started the three-run sixth with his 18th double in 54 games. Beckham entered Wednesday’s game with a .380 average since June 26 — leading all AL players.
Jayson Nix, starting in place of Ramirez, made up for a fourth-inning error with a two-out single that put the Sox ahead 2-1 in the fifth.
Floyd (9-6) extended his dominance at home with eight-plus innings of six-hit ball, improving to 5-0 with a 1.54 ERA in his last eight home starts. Three double plays aided Floyd, but he did his best pitching in the eighth after Paul Konerko’s error put two runners on base with one out.
Floyd retired Maicer Izturis on a slow roller in front of home plate, with A.J. Pierzynski holding Gary Matthews Jr. at third before throwing to first for the second out.
Guillen visited the mound with left-hander Matt Thornton warming up but stuck with Floyd, who fooled Bobby Abreu on a called third strike to end the threat.
Konerko compensated for his miscue with a solo homer in the eighth off Brian Fuentes.
– – –
Big number
5: Errors committed by White Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye this season.
———
mgonzales@tribune.com
Up next
Thursday vs. Angels, 1:05 p.m., CSN
