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Orioles-White Sox Preview

Jul 18, 2009 - 5:25 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Baltimore (40-48) at Chicago (45-43), 4:10 p.m. EDT

Although not as productive as he's been in the past, Jim Thome is on quite a tear for the Chicago White Sox.

Thome looks to continue his hot streak on Saturday when the White Sox continue a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles.

The 38-year-old slugger isn't the same player he was while recording six consecutive 100-RBI seasons from 1999-2004 with Cleveland and Philadelphia. His .491 slugging percentage at the All-Star break was on pace to be his lowest in a full season since 1993.

Thome has shown glimpses of the past with three homers and 14 RBIs in his last three games. He had a grand slam and three-run homer Friday in a 12-8 victory, and the career-high seven RBIs pushed his career total to 1,545 - good for 41st place on the all-time list.

"As you get older ... you definitely savor every moment," Thome said. "You don't know how many more you're going to have so you try to take advantage of it every time. I felt like a little kid again."

Thome has 557 career homers - only six fewer than Reggie Jackson, who ranks 12th all-time. The designated hitter had a total of 11 RBIs in his previous 29 games before his surge.

Chicago (46-43) moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Detroit in the AL Central as Scott Podsednik added three hits and scored three runs.

Baltimore (40-49) fell to 14-28 on the road - the worst mark in the AL. All-Star center fielder Adam Jones and Nick Markakis homered Friday.

Chicago is 11-3 on Saturday this year, including 6-0 at home.

White Sox ace Mark Buehrle (9-3, 3.66 ERA) seeks to bounce back from his worst outing of the season. The All-Star gave up eight runs over 3 1-3 innings Sunday in a 13-7 loss at Minnesota.

Buehrle is 4-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 10 career starts against the Orioles. He has dominated Brian Roberts, who is 5 for 25 (.200), and Melvin Mora - who is 4 for 24 (.167) - in their careers against the left-hander.

Buehrle has been outstanding at U.S. Cellular Field, going 5-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 10 starts.

Rookie Brad Bergesen (6-3, 3.54) will start for Baltimore with Jeremy Guthrie being pushed back one day while recovering from an illness.

Bergesen won his major league debut against the White Sox on April 21 by allowing three runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 10-3 victory. He also won his last outing Sunday against Toronto by yielding two runs over 6 2-3 innings in a 4-2 victory.

"I think he has established himself as a real nice story in the American League this year as a starting pitcher," manager Dave Trembley told the Orioles' official Web site. "It seems like every time he pitches, he gives us a chance to win."

Those two starts were at home, however. On the road, the right-hander is 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA in six outings.