CHICAGO (AP) _ James Baldwin didn't know Jarrod Washburn carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Didn't care, really.

With Chicago's defense playing well and his teammates getting some good, hard swings, Baldwin's only concern was remaining composed.

``I wasn't trying to overpower anybody,'' he said. ``I was able to go out there relaxed and stay in control.''

Baldwin (1-2) stayed in control enough to earn his second career shutout as the White Sox beat the Anaheim Angels 2-0 Tuesday night.

Washburn's no-hit bid became an afterthought when Paul Konerko singled with one out in the seventh and Carlos Lee followed with an RBI double on the next pitch.

Ray Durham added a solo home run in the eighth.

``I pitched like I'm capable. Baldwin just pitched better,'' said Washburn (1-4), who lowered his ERA from 7.04 ERA to 5.81.

Baldwin, who hadn't won a game since Aug. 29, had offseason surgery and started the season on the disabled list. In his previous three starts, the White Sox were 0-3.

Baldwin didn't have his best stuff _ allowing nine hits _ but got by on his control. He walked one and shut down the Angels when they got a runner on base. Anaheim, which stranded eight, had two runners in scoring position.

Troy Glaus was caught trying to steal home in the fourth, and Darin Erstad was stranded at third in the sixth.

``He really kept them off balance,'' White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. ``That was probably his best effort I've ever seen.''

Baldwin needed 124 pitches to earn his sixth career complete game and first shutout since blanking Boston 6-0 on May 9, 2000. With Chicago's bullpen needing a rest, Manuel never thought about removing the right-hander.

``He was ready to wrestle if I'd have taken him out,'' Manuel said. ``I didn't do any lifting today, so we let him finish the game.''

Washburn allowed two runs and three hits in eight innings. He walked three _ one intentionally _ and struck out six.

Washburn had a perfect game going until yielding a leadoff walk to Tony Graffanino in the sixth. He gave up another walk with one out in the seventh, and that seemed to give the White Sox the opening they needed.

``It seemed like that was the mistake of the game,'' Lee said.

Konerko lined a single just under shortstop David Eckstein's glove into left field. On the next pitch, Lee drove one between the third-base bag and Glaus for a double.

``We said he won't throw a perfect game,'' Lee said. ``I knew we were going to get him.''

The White Sox won their third straight, the first time they've won three in a row since April 9-11, when they swept Cleveland. While Chicago did not gain ground on Minnesota or Cleveland, the victory moved the White Sox out of last place in the AL Central.

Kansas City lost to Cleveland, dropping 12 games back.

``I just hope this is a jumpstart for us,'' Baldwin said. ``We haven't been playing bad ball. We just haven't been getting the breaks we were getting last year. Now things are starting to come our way.''

Notes: Washburn came within one out of a no-hitter on June 26, 1997, when he was at Double-A Midland. ... Frank Thomas is expected to rejoin the White Sox either Wednesday or Thursday. Thomas has been in Columbus, Ga., since Friday after his father, Frank Sr., died. Services were Tuesday. ... Chicago's three hits were a season low. ... The Angels have lost eight of their last 11 on the road.