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White Sox-Brewers Preview

Jun 13, 2009 - 5:29 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (28-33) at Milwaukee (33-27), 4:10 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers were in the midst of a nice stretch last month when they ran into interleague play. Their latest series against an AL opponent started much better.

After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Brewers continue a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

Milwaukee (34-27) was swept by Minnesota in a three-game set last month after it had won 14 of the previous 17. That weekend began a 7-12 slide for the Brewers, who started this series against the White Sox (28-34) having lost four in a row, but still atop the NL Central.

Milwaukee rallied to snap its skid by beating Chicago 7-2 on Friday as Corey Hart, who came in 4 for 28, sparked a three-run sixth with an RBI double. The Brewers then added four more runs in the seventh, with Hart tripling home a pair.

"It takes a little more than a couple of days to get fully confident," Hart told the Brewers' official Web site. "It's nice to get the two hits in a few key situations. That helps me get the confidence back a little bit, and I'll be able to sleep better."

Manager Ken Macha rested four starters due to hitting slumps and his club entered Friday batting .195 with runners in scoring position in the previous 10 games. The Brewers responded by going 6 for 12 in those situations in the series opener.

Milwaukee starters were knocked around to the tune of a 9.00 ERA in last month's three losses to the Twins, but Jeff Suppan earned the win Friday with 6 2-3 effective innings, striking out five.

Chicago, meanwhile, has lost nine of 12 since a four-game winning streak. It was held to three or fewer runs for the sixth time during that stretch and the bullpen gave up six runs - four earned - in three innings.

Although the White Sox had 10 hits Friday, Josh Fields went 0 for 4 and is 4 for 28 with one RBI and 11 strikeouts in 10 games this month. Gordon Beckham, the eighth overall selection in the 2008 draft, was called up from the minors June 4 to spell Fields, but the rookie is 2 for 28 in his first eight contests.

Following a second straight blown save by their bullpen, the White Sox hope for another strong performance from Jose Contreras (1-5, 6.45 ERA) on Saturday.

Contreras recorded his first win since June 27 after pitching eight scoreless innings against Detroit on Monday in his return to the majors following a demotion in early May. The right-hander gave up one hit in the 6-1 victory after failing to make it out of the fourth inning in his previous two starts.

"I think it was exciting for everyone, especially his teammates," manager Ozzie Guillen told the White Sox's official Web site. "It's something we like to see, not because we won, but just because we want to see Jose back and throwing the ball the way we know he can throw the ball."

Contreras has never faced the Brewers. He is 9-7 with a 5.94 ERA in 21 interleague starts, including 0-2 with a 12.50 ERA in his last four road starts against the NL.

Manny Parra (3-7, 6.86) takes the mound for the Brewers. He's lost his last three decisions and Milwaukee is winless in his last four starts. The left-hander gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-7 loss at Atlanta on Sunday.

Parra, who has never faced the White Sox, is 3-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four interleague starts.