Cubs, White Sox conclude Windy City Series

Gavin Floyd hasn't been much help lately to the Chicago White Sox and their pursuit of staying in control atop the AL Central.

The White Sox could use a boost after losing bragging rights in the division.

Floyd is 1-4 with a 10.38 earned run average in his last six starts and draws pitching duties tonight in the finale of a three-game series versus the Chicago Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field.

The right-hander lost his second straight start in last Thursday's 5-3 setback at St. Louis and allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks in 4 2/3 frames. Floyd, who is 4-7 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 starts this season, has allowed at least four runs in each of his last six outings.

He is 4-3 in eight home starts this season and 0-3 with a 3.67 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs.

The White Sox wasted another quality performance by Jake Peavy in last night's 2-1 loss, as the former NL Cy Young Award winner went the distance and allowed two runs, one of which was earned, and five hits. Peavy also tossed nine innings of one-run ball in a 1-0 loss to Boston on April 28.

"A loss is a loss," said Peavy. "We're going to find a way, the offense is in a little bit of a funk."

Alexei Ramirez supplied the minimal offense with an RBI ground-rule double in the bottom of the second inning for the White Sox, who have lost three straight, six of seven and 10 of their last 14 games.

Chicago is now a half game behind the Cleveland Indians for the AL Central lead and out of first place in the standings for the first time since late May.

The White Sox, who were blasted by the Cubs, 12-3, in the series opener, will also host Milwaukee on the current homestand.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are aiming for a series sweep of the White Sox and previously won all three meetings with San Diego from May 28-30.

The Cubs set themselves up for the trifecta after annihilating their city rivals on Monday, followed by last night's one-run victory. David DeJesus completed the scoring with a two-run single in the top of the third and the Cubs improved to 6-12 in June. DeJesus and Tony Campana both had two hits.

"It was nice to finally win a one-run game," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum, whose team improved to 8-17 in that category. "It was a well-played game...DeJesus had a nice night."

Sveum's club still managed to win even after it posted season highs with 12 runs, five home runs and 15 hits the night before. Last in the NL Central at 14 1/2 games off the pace, the Cubs are scheduled to visit Arizona for three games this weekend in the desert.

Randy Wells is subbing for injured starter Ryan Dempster (lat strain) and will make his 11th appearance -- third start -- tonight. Wells hasn't started since April 28 in a 5-2 loss at Philadelphia, when he lasted 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs. He was last in action during Saturday's 4-3 loss to Boston and pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing a run and three hits.

The right-hander, who made two April starts when Dempster was sidelined with a leg injury, has made three career starts against the White Sox, going 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA.

The White Sox swept the Cubs in three games a month ago at Wrigley Field from May 18-20 thanks to a 16-6 advantage in runs, and have still won seven of 10 and 14 of the last 20 matchups between the two clubs. The Pale Hose lead the all-time series, 48-41, including a 25-19 edge as the host.

The last time the Cubs swept the White Sox was in a three-game set from June 20-22, 2008 at Wrigley Field. They swept a series on the South Side June 22-24, 2007.