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Cubs-White Sox Preview

Jun 28, 2009 - 2:20 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Chicago (35-35) at Chicago (35-38), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Gordon Beckham may be one of the youngest members of the Chicago White Sox, but he's already leaving his mark on the cross-town rivalry with the Chicago Cubs.

The 22-year-old rookie will try to help the White Sox gain an advantage in the all-time series Sunday when the teams conclude their three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

Beckham was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on June 4, a day shy of a being an exact year since he was drafted eighth overall by the White Sox (36-38). The third baseman has struggled at times, hitting .200 with one homer and nine RBIs in 20 games in the majors after posting a .326 average with four homers and 25 RBIs while splitting time between Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham.

Beckham, though, has collected six of his 13 hits in four games against the Cubs (35-36), adding two RBIs.

He delivered a two-out, walkoff single in the ninth inning to clinch an 8-7 win Saturday after the White Sox dropped the series opener 5-4 on Friday.

"That's probably the best feeling I've ever had playing baseball," Beckham said of his game-winning hit, which evened the all-time series at 35 wins each.

The White Sox, though, are 20-15 against the Cubs at U.S. Cellular.

Beckham and the White Sox will have to contend with Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.48 ERA) on Sunday.

The big right-hander owns a 2.06 ERA in his last five starts, but has only a 1-0 record to show for it.

Zambrano didn't factor in the decision again Tuesday, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings of a 5-4 loss at Detroit.

Zambrano, however, appeared more concerned with not being included in the lineup due to the AL's use of the designated hitter. He owns a .237 career batting average with 18 homers and 50 RBIs.

"A lot," Zambrano told the Cubs' official Web site of how much it bothered him to not hit. "Not only to be able to hit, but to be able to get going and keep my routine. That's why I took (batting practice). Coming to the American League is boring for me. You feel like you're the DH. You go out there for an inning and come back to the dugout and do nothing."

Zambrano is 5-2 with a 4.39 ERA in 12 games - 10 starts - versus the White Sox. The three-time All-Star didn't get the decision in his last start against them on June 18, allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings of a 6-5 win.

The White Sox will give the ball to John Danks (5-6, 4.43), who could use some help as he tries to rebound from his third loss in four starts.

The left-hander is 1-3 with a 3.67 ERA in his last four outings, getting just six total runs of support. His only win over that stretch came against the Cubs on June 17, when he yielded one run and five hits while fanning nine in seven innings of a 4-1 victory.

Danks, who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against the Cubs, was victimized by poor support again on Tuesday, allowing three runs and three hits in seven innings of a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It isn't my department," Danks said of the offense. "My job is to try to keep us in the game. But our guys know how to hit - and hit a lot. They are proven. It's only a matter of time before our guys get going."