ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Chicago White Sox starter Jake Peavy and his teammates failed to add to their AL Central division lead on Friday night.

Peavy was less than stellar in a 6-2 loss to the Angels, giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings of work while taking his 11th loss of 2012. The 31-year-old starter did manage to make his 30th start of the season and to hit the 200 innings-pitched mark for the first time since 2007.

“Maybe when all this is over I can sit back and say, ‘It was nice,’” Peavy said. “I told (my teammates) back in spring training I would make my starts and I would contribute if that happened. I have been able to do that so far.”


The Sox loss coupled with the Detroit Tigers’ rainout dropped Chicago’s lead to a game and a half.

The Sox offense couldn’t do a thing with Ervin Santana, who struck out a career high eleven hitters and gave up only two hits after Alejandro De Aza led off the game with his ninth home run and third to lead off a game this season.

“There was nothing going on offensively,” Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “We struck out a lot and his ball was moving all over the place.”

Peavy has not defeated any team other than Minnesota since a July 6 win over Toronto. Since that game he is 4-6 in 12 starts. He’s also 2-8 with an ERA over 5.00 in his last 11 road starts. Some of his starts the team has failed to muster any run support for the pitcher.

“I have thrown some games that we could have won,” Peavy said. “This has not been my year. I would obviously like to win but I have felt very comfortable on the road and at home.”

The Sox have lost three straight on this three-city, nine-game road trip. Still, the team can be content with the fact they have had a hold on the division lead since July 24.

“You try to get perspective on it and realize that we can’t get to next weekend until we get through tomorrow’s game,” Paul Konerko said. “You know we are in a good spot up a game and a half after 150 games. Most teams would really want to be in that spot.”