Gio Gonzalez tossed six scoreless innings and the Oakland Athletics scored three times in the seventh en route to a 3-0 victory over the sinking Chicago White Sox on Monday night.

Kurt Suzuki had three hits for the A’s, who kept the Texas Rangers' magic number for clinching the American League West at six.

Chicago lost its seventh straight game and the Minnesota Twins’ magic number for clinching the AL Central was reduced to two after the clubs were tied for the division lead on Aug. 11.

Chris Carter started the decisive rally with his first major league hit to start the seventh. Pinch-runner Gabe Gross advanced to second on a bunt that was misplayed by pitcher Scott Linebrink (3-2) for an error, and to third on a bunt single by Rajai Davis.

Daric Barton grounded into a force at second to plate Gross, and two batters later Suzuki laced a two-out single to right to push the edge to 3-0.

Gonzalez, who entered 8-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 14 home starts, yielded four hits and four walks and escaped a fourth-inning jam when he walked the bases loaded. Boof Bonser (1-0) pitched the seventh for the win, Mike Wuertz logged the eighth and Craig Breslow closed out the ninth for his third save.

White Sox starter Gavin Floyd left after throwing seven pitches with a right shoulder injury, but Tony Pena filled in admirably. Pena, who pitched seven innings in his only start of the season, on Aug. 21 against the A’s, tossed six scoreless innings. He allowed six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.