Big blasts end Sox five-game losing skid

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The White Sox put on quite a show on Monday night for their second sellout crowd of the season.

Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and Alex Rios homered in support of Gavin Floyd as the White Sox snapped a five-game losing skid with a 7-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins in front of 37,788 at U.S. Cellular Field. Konerko hit a three-run home run in the first inning, his first since June 29, to set the tone against Francisco Liriano, who was knocked out after only 2 23 innings.

The White Sox first victory over Liriano since May 20, 2009 also allowed them to move back within a game of first-place Detroit, who was idle.

Even though they lost the last five games of a 10-game road trip to start the second half, the White Sox were instantly energized in their half of the first inning.

Alejandro De Aza, who was 3-for-4, singled and Kevin Youkilis drew a seven-pitch walk against Liriano (3-10). One out later, Konerko homered to right field to give the White Sox a 3-1 lead.

Two innings later, De Aza doubled and Dunn launched a homer to left-center for a 5-2 lead. It was the fourth time this season Dunn and Konerko have homered in the same game, first since June 10.

Not to be outdone, Rios followed a Konerko single by launching a 438-foot drive into the seats in left for a 7-2 lead.

Floyd was at times frustrating and brilliant in his first start since July 7.

The right-hander, who was 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA in four starts before he went on the disabled list, allowed the leadoff man to reach in five of the six innings he pitched. He also allowed at least two runners on base in four innings, and 12 overall. Floyd walked six batters and often ran into deep counts.

But Floyd also made the big pitch in the most difficult of situations.

He loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and got Josh Willingham, who has 68 RBIs, to ground into a double play. Floyd only allowed one run in the first.

Willingham also erased a leadoff walk in the third with a double play and Floyd got another to end the fourth inning.

Floyd induced four double plays. Reliever Matt Thornton also got a key double play after he allowed two singles to start the seventh inning.

Brett Myers recorded an out in his White Sox debut and Addison Reed pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 16th save.

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