GLENDALE, Ariz., (AP) -In his first start since agreeing to a 4-year, $15.5 million contract, Gavin Floyd shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers over six innings, scattering seven hits while striking out seven in the Chicago White Sox's 6-1 win Saturday.

Floyd got into trouble once, when the Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the third. But Floyd got Manny Ramirez to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Advertisement

``The more I see him, the more I love him,' manager Ozzie Guillen said of Floyd, who lowered his ERA to 2.57. ``He can be one of the best pitchers in the game pretty soon.'

Floyd said the White Sox have indicated he'll pitch on the season's second day.

``I feel like I'm getting stronger and making quality pitches,' he said. ``I'm trying to get ahead of guys. That's the name of the game: trying to get that first strike, get ahead and get quick outs.'

Randy Wolf shut out the White Sox for the first five innings before Chicago got to him in the sixth with a dazzling display of small ball in a four-run inning.

With the game scoreless, the White Sox turned two straight sacrifice-bunt situations into base hits. After Josh Fields opened the inning with a walk, both Brent Lillibridge and Brian Anderson - while trying to sacrifice - laid down near-perfect bunts down the third-base line for hits.

Without hitting the ball out of the infield, the Sox loaded the bases with no outs and Alexei Ramirez doubled home two runs, Carlos Quentin followed with a run-scoring single and Jim Thome closed the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

``We played well,' Guillen said. ``We need those guys at the top of the lineup to do what they did today. Then we'll really have a great offense.'

Josh Fields went 2-for-3 and walked while raising his spring average to .453. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski threw out the Dodgers Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier trying to steal.

Guillermo Mota relieved Wolf and struck out both batters he faced. Also, Tanyon Sturtze, who has pitched well this spring, gave up two runs and three hits in the seventh. Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless eighth to lower his ERA to 16.88.

Ramirez and Rafael Furcal went 2-for-3 for the Dodgers, who scored just one run for the second straight day.

``All I can think of is were saving all our runs for opening day,' manager Joe Torre said.

Notes: Chicago's Jack Egbert gave up the lone Dodgers run, but it was unearned. ... The White Sox's Lance Broadway threw a scoreless inning to lower his ERA to 3.55. ... The Dodgers' Delwyn Young, a backup outfielder last season, is set to see an elbow specialist. Young had elbow surgery in the offseason, then experienced discomfort in the area of the operation after swinging a bat recently. Young, hitting .289 in limited action. ... Dodgers pitcher Claudio Vargas also is set to see an elbow specialist. Vargas last pitched Wednesday. ... Los Angeles' Jason Schmidt is expected to pitch in a simulated game involving minor leaguers Sunday in Peoria.