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White Sox, Astros conclude Windy City series

Jul 20, 2014 - 2:12 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox will wrap up a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field Sunday by sending out a pair of pitchers looking to improve on winning records.

Jarred Cosart will take the mound for the visiting Astros, while Chicago will counter with John Danks for the mid-day contest.

Cosart, who turned 24 in May, sports a 9-6 record on the season with a 4.17 earned run average. He's recorded 67 strikeouts, but has displayed some problems with his control, evidenced by his 43 walks on the year.

Despite a loss he suffered on July 1, Cosart has been dominant in his recent outings. In his last six starts, he's piled up a 5-1 record, but has raised his ERA from 3.60 (June 26) to where it is now. He surrendered six runs (five earned) in five innings against Texas in his last start. Houston picked up the win, though, 12-7.

Cosart hasn't registered more than three strikeouts in a game since June 9. But on the road this season, the righty is 5-3 with a 4.08 ERA.

Since the start of June, Danks has been one of Chicago's top pitchers. He enters the game against Houston with an 8-6 record and a 3.99 ERA, adding 83 strikeouts and 46 walks to his resume.

His last outing resulted in a no-decision against Cleveland despite a strong performance. Danks surrendered just one run through seven innings of work, but his White Sox couldn't muster any offense in the 3-2 Indians victory. In eight starts since the beginning of June, Danks is 5-1 with two no-decisions.

Playing against Houston hasn't been his forte, though. The veteran lefty is 0-3 in three career starts against the 'Stros with a 7.71 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. Houston is batting .328 against Danks in those three games.

Chicago snuck away with a second straight win over Houston Saturday night by taking down the Astros, 4-3. The scoring came early and often for both sides, and by the time the White Sox took a one-run lead in the bottom of the fifth, it would end altogether.

Hector Noesi picked up the win -- his first in five career starts against Houston -- after tossing six innings of six-hit, three-run ball. Tyler Flowers registered three hits for the White Sox, and drove in a team-high two RBI, including the winning run in the fifth.

"I don't know if I'm quite locked in yet," Flowers said. "It's good to put some quality at-bats together."

Dallas Keuchel struggled in the contest, allowing 12 hits and four runs (three earned) in five innings of work. He was tabbed with the loss, which is Houston's fourth in the team's last five games.

Jose Altuve, who entered Saturday's contest leading the AL in hits, added two more to his resume, along with two RBI for the 'Stros.