MLB: Chicago White Sox 8, Oakland 1

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Gavin Floyd, who has struggled on the road this year, held Oakland to a run over seven innings Saturday in carrying the Chicago White Sox to an 8-1 win.

Floyd brought a 4-5 road record into the game with a 5.76 ERA in 12 starts.

The Athletics, however, could manage only a run in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Mark Ellis.

Floyd (10-7) gave up eight hits, but also struck out eight before giving way to Alexei Ramirez for the final two innings.

Jason Nix paced the offense with three RBI, hitting a two-run homer in the third and delivering a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Jim Thome added a solo home run in the ninth, his 22nd of the year.

The White Sox went into the day's action trailing division-leading Detroit by 2 1/2 games in the American League Central.

The loss went to Gio Gonzalez (4-3), who was touched for six runs on six hits and six walks in five innings.