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White Sox-Twins Preview

Jul 10, 2009 - 12:39 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (44-40) at Minnesota (43-42), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Minnesota Twins' lineup is looking to rebound after a terrible series. They won't get a break against Chicago White Sox hurler John Danks.

After being swept at home for the first time in more than a year, the Twins look to solve Danks in the opener of a three-game series with the White Sox on Friday night.

Minnesota (43-43) was swept in a three-game home series by the New York Yankees, losing the finale 6-4 on Thursday.

It was the first time the Twins have been swept at home since a three-game set with Toronto from May 13-15, 2008. They're 26-19 this year in their final season at the Metrodome.

"That's not supposed to happen," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team has lost six of its last eight at home after winning 13 of its previous 17 there.

Now, Minnesota will face one of the AL's hottest pitchers. Danks (7-6, 3.76 ERA) has not allowed a run in 19 1-3 innings and is 3-2 with a 1.51 ERA in his last five starts.

"If he's falling behind, he has enough pitches with the changeup, curve and cutter to get guys out," White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski told the team's official Web site.

The left-hander gave up five hits while striking out seven and not allowing a walk in 7 1-3 innings of Chicago's 5-0 win over Kansas City last Friday.

Danks rarely struggles with his control, walking two or fewer batters in 11 of his 16 starts this year. He has walked 25 in 49 innings versus the Twins, going 4-3 with a 5.33 ERA in nine starts.

Chicago (44-41) couldn't bounce back after a poor start from Clayton Richard in a 10-8 loss to Cleveland on Thursday, falling short after rallying from a 9-2 deficit.

The White Sox had another big game at the plate, going 5 for 16 with runners in scoring position. Chicago is averaging 6.4 runs in its last 15 games, winning 11.

Right fielder Jermaine Dye is 5 for 8 with three RBIs in his last two games. The veteran, though, is batting .237 (9 for 38) in his last 12 road games.

Minnesota right-hander Nick Blackburn (7-4, 2.94) will try to slow down the White Sox, moving up a day in the rotation in place of the ailing Glen Perkins. Perkins had been set to take the mound after missing his scheduled start against the Yankees on Wednesday, when he woke up with an illness.

Blackburn is 5-2 with a 1.88 ERA in his last nine outings, including three complete games. He went the distance in his last start, surrendering one earned run and seven hits while striking out six in a 6-2 victory over Detroit on Sunday.

Blackburn is 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA in eight starts against the White Sox.

Minnesota has posted a 3.26 ERA in winning nine of its last 10 home games versus Chicago. The White Sox hold a 4-2 lead in the season series with all six games played at U.S. Cellular Field.