MLB: Texas 7, Chicago White Sox 2

ARLINGTON, Texas, July 11 (UPI) -- David Murphy's two-run homer keyed a five-run third inning Friday and the Texas Rangers went on to whip the Chicago White Sox 7-2.

Chicago lost its second straight and saw its lead in the American League Central over Minnesota reduced to 1 1/2 games.

Gavin Floyd (10-5), who was left off AL All-Star team, failed to get out of the third inning. He walked seven, allowed five hits and gave up six runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The Rangers sent 11 men to the plate in the third and left the bases loaded.

Josh Hamilton ran his major league-leading RBI total to 93. He doubled in the first run of the third inning and singled in another in the sixth. Two of the Rangers' runs in the third came on bases-loaded walks.

Luis Mendoza, who allowed nine hits and eight runs to the Los Angeles Angels in his previous outing, got the win. Mendoza (2-3) limited Chicago to a run on three hits in six innings.

After Warner Madrigal walked the bases loaded with two out in the ninth, Eddie Guardado came on with the tying run in the on deck circle and recorded the final out for his second save.