Orioles Drop 5th Straight Game

White Sox 8, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE, Aug. 26 -- Rather than express disappointment over falling three outs short of a complete game, Gavin Floyd relished his 14th win.

And why not? That's six more victories than the right-hander had over his entire career before finding success in his fifth season in the big leagues.

Floyd pitched eight innings of four-hit ball, Nick Swisher homered and the Chicago White Sox handed the Baltimore Orioles their fifth straight loss, 8-3, on Tuesday night.

Orlando Cabrera went 4 for 5 with two RBI for the first-place White Sox, who have won eight of 10 to move a season-high 20 games over .500 (76-56). Chicago had nine extra-base hits, including a season high-tying seven doubles.

Floyd (14-6) allowed two runs, struck out four and walked one during a 98-pitch effort.

"Fourteen is nice," he said. "I'm just trying to finish this season strong and hopefully get in the playoffs. I'm 0-0 in my mind after every start. I try to go out there and not really pay attention to that."

Pitching less than six miles from where he played in high school, Floyd retired the side in order five times.

"I loved spending time with my family," he said. "It's been a good time."

Although he failed to get his third career complete game, Floyd improved to 4-0 in his last six starts. Asked if he was disheartened about not going nine innings, the 25-year-old replied: "I wasn't really thinking about it. I was just trying to go out and get people out. I went long in the game and at least saved a couple of guys" in the bullpen.

Chicago Manager Ozzie Guillén said of Floyd: "This kid is an animal. You see him throw in the bullpen session and he is a strong kid, and he has the same pace and concentration in the game. This kid has a chance to have a good career."

Adam Russell gave up two hits and a run in the ninth.

Floyd came in with an AL-high 6.85 run support average, and the White Sox continued the trend. Swisher hit his 22nd homer, his fifth in seven games, and Ken Griffey Jr. went 2 for 4 with an RBI in his 2,500th career game.

Luke Scott drove in two runs for the Orioles, who fell to 1-7 on a homestand that began with three-game series against Boston and the New York Yankees.

Recalled from Class AAA Norfolk to start against the White Sox, Brian Burres (7-8) gave up six runs, five earned, and 10 hits -- six for extra bases -- in five innings.

"I didn't really give my team a chance," the left-hander said.

"It definitely didn't start out how I wanted it to, and I never really got ahold of it."

Baltimore got a run in the fourth when Brian Roberts singled and scored on a double by Nick Markakis.