White Sox 5, Royals 0: Gavin Floyd yielded just five hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings as Chicago gained more ground in the American League Central.

Floyd (3-3) avoided trouble in the second inning when he induced back-to-back groundouts with the bases loaded, and he retired 14 of the next 15 hitters he faced. Kansas City filled the bases again with three singles in the eighth, but Floyd struck out Billy Butler and reliever Matt Thornton fanned Eric Hosmer to end the threat.

The White Sox got all of the offense they would need when Adam Dunn hit a two-out solo homer in the first inning. Gordon Beckham singled home another run in the third, and a two-run triple by Alex Rios in the sixth provided ample cushioning for Floyd.

Felipe Paulino (1-1) surrendered four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings for Kansas City, striking out six and walking one.

Alejandro De Aza had an RBI single in the seventh inning for Chicago, which moved to within 2 1/2 games of Cleveland in the AL Central.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dunn’s homer was his 11th of the season, matching his total output from all of last year. ... An MRI on the left elbow of Chicago LHP Chris Sale came back negative earlier Friday, allowing him to return to the starting rotation. Sale is now slated to start Saturday.