Gavin Floyd sharp, Kevin Youkilis homers as White Sox blank Blue Jays 2-0

CHICAGO – Gavin Floyd pitched 7 2-3 innings of four-hit ball and Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer to lead the Chicago 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 centre 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 favourite 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.