CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle pitched eight scoreless innings to win for the first time in six decisions, Alexei Ramirez matched a career-high with five RBIs and the Chicago White Sox defeated the Florida Marlins 8-0 on Friday night.
Ramirez hit a three-run homer and a two-run double and Mark Kotsay was 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored for Chicago, which won for just the fifth time in 13 games.
In his previous six starts, Buehrle (3-5) was 0-5 with a 6.44 ERA. He was 4-12 with a 4.97 ERA in 21 starts since his perfect game last season. He allowed three hits and three walks.
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco (4-3) had his worst start of the season, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
With Buehrle working efficiently and rapidly, the game was finished in 2:08.
Florida, which came in with the best interleague record in the NL at 120-99, was shut out for the first time this season.
But interleague play always seems to provide a lift to Buehrle, too. He has won six straight decisions against National League teams.
The left-hander allowed a leadoff double to Gaby Sanchez in the sixth inning, but came back and struck out Hanley Ramirez. It was Buehrle's first strikeout in 12 innings. Jorge Cantu lined out to Carlos Quentin in right and Sanchez got doubled off second by Quentin's throw.
After getting swept in a two game series by the Los Angeles Angels, the White Sox gave Buehrle early run support. Ramirez doubled off the wall to score two runs in the second.
Kotsay hit his fourth homer on the first pitch in the fourth inning.
Buehrle got more insurance in the sixth inning. Alex Rios led off with a double and scored on Paul Konerko's RBI single. Kotsay and Quentin followed with back-to-back singles and Mark Teahen had a sacrifice fly. Ramirez then chased Nolasco with a three-run shot to left. It was Ramirez's third of the season.
Notes
Sergio Santos pitched the final inning for Chicago and struck out two. … The White Sox had 12 hits, but three Florida pitchers did not walk a batter.