OAKLAND, Calif. - Chris Widger still remembers the pitch he hit nearly five years ago for his last home run in the big leagues.

The journeyman catcher figures he'll cherish his latest homer even more, mostly because it propelled the Chicago White Sox to another win in their outstanding start to the season.

Jon Garland pitched a four-hitter for his second career shutout, and Widger broke open a scoreless game in the seventh with a two-run shot in Chicago's eighth straight victory, 6-0 over Barry Zito and the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Widger was out of the majors last season, and he hadn't homered since Aug. 9, 2000 - on a first-pitch changeup against the White Sox, of all teams. Hitting was the last thing on his mind while he caught Garland.

But when Zito tired in the seventh and left his 106th pitch over the plate, Widger put it in the seats in left field. Carl Everett followed with a two-run double moments later, and the White Sox extended the best start in franchise history.

"A guy in my position, you don't try to hit a homer any time, much less against a guy who throws like that," Widger said. "Sometimes you can't explain why it happens. When the team is playing well, unexpected people step up and do things like that."

A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago's regular catcher, managed to retrieve Widger's home run ball from a fan. But if the White Sox maintain anything near the pace of their 16-4 start, everybody will have plenty of souvenirs this summer.

"That ball probably means as much to me as the first one I hit, just because of what I've done and the places I've been over the last few years," Widger said.