MLB: LA Angels 7, Chicago White Sox 1

ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Joe Saunders allowed three hits over seven innings Friday to win his fourth straight start and help the Los Angeles Angels down the Chicago White Sox 7-1.

Los Angeles won its fourth consecutive contest and boosted its lead over the Texas Rangers to 5 1/2 games in the American League West. Texas had its home game against Seattle rained out.

Saunders (13-7) gave up the only Chicago run and struck out three in a 101-pitch effort. He gave up a two-out single in the first, a lead-off single in the second and a lead-off homer to Jayson Nix in the third.

After the Nix homer, Saunders retired 15 consecutive batters.

Los Angeles was clinging to a 2-1 lead before scoring three times in the fifth -- two of the runs on a single by Maicer Izturis.

Gavin Floyd (11-10) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in five innings.