White Sox Sweep; Garland Wins No. 14

The Chicago White Sox shocked even their manager, Ozzie Guillen, with their first four-game sweep in Cleveland in 42 years.

Jon Garland pitched six effective innings Sunday and became the American League’s first 14-game winner when the White Sox beat the Indians, 4-0.

Tadahito Iguchi and A.J. Pierzynski hit home runs for Chicago, which improved to 30-5 against the AL Central and swept a four-game set in Cleveland for the first time since 1963.

“I never thought we’d sweep,” said Guillen, adding that he came in “hoping we’d win the series. Cleveland always plays tough against us.”

Garland (14-4) gave up seven hits and two walks to win for the second time in four starts. He struck out two.

“It’s a division rival,” Garland said. “The least you want to do is split.”

Instead, the White Sox opened a 12-game lead over second-place Minnesota and dropped third-place Cleveland 15 games back.

The Indians hit .120 (three for 25) with runners in scoring position in the series. They have lost a season-high five in a row and nine of 10.

“You can’t put your head down and cry,” Indian Manager Eric Wedge said. “That’s not the way I operate, and that’s not how these players are. We have 2 1/2 months and 70 games left, and we can’t back off.”

The Indians were without leading hitter Travis Hafner, who sustained a cut lip and slight concussion when he was hit by a pitch Saturday. Batting cleanup in place of Hafner (.310, 18 homers, 63 runs batted in) was right-fielder Casey Blake, who came in hitting .221.

Garland continued a trend set by Chicago’s previous three starters: Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia and Mark Buehrle. The foursome combined for a 1.00 earned-run average, giving up three runs in 27 innings.

“Contreras set the tone and everybody else followed suit,” Pierzynski said. “This was a big series for us, especially after the way we played against Oakland before the break.”

The White Sox were swept in three games by the Athletics to close the first half.