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Orioles-White Sox Preview

Jul 19, 2009 - 1:21 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Baltimore (40-49) at Chicago (46-43), 2:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago White Sox's struggles during a homestand last month seemed to drop them out of the AL Central race, but their much-improved play at U.S. Cellular Field has gotten them back in contention.

Looking for their first three-game home sweep of the year, the White Sox close a set against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

Chicago (47-43) was 5 1/2 games out of first place on June 11 following the completion of a 4-8 homestand which dropped the team two games under .500 at home. Since that homestand, the White Sox have won four straight series at U.S. Cellular Field, including taking the first two games of this set with Baltimore (40-50).

In Saturday's 4-3 victory, Mark Buehrle gave up one run in 7 1-3 innings for his 10th win and Jermaine Dye hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. The victory pulled the White Sox within 1 1/2 games of AL Central-leading Detroit - the closest they've been to the division lead since May 3.

"Not too many people thought ... we'd be in this situation," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We started poorly, we had a lot of guys hurt, guys were not performing. But we're feeling pretty good now. That has a lot to do with chemistry, with us believing in ourselves and with us being there before."

Dye is hitting .465 (20 for 43) with six doubles, four homers and 12 RBIs in his last 11 home games. He's 4 for 8 with a home run and a double against Orioles scheduled starter Jeremy Guthrie (6-8, 5.35 ERA).

Chicago will hand the ball to Jose Contreras (4-7, 4.54), who looks to continue his strong pitching since being recalled from the minors in June.

Contreras has won his last two starts and is 4-2 with a 2.06 ERA since being brought back from Triple-A Charlotte. The right-hander gave up one run and struck out nine in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-1 victory over the Indians on July 8.

Contreras is 5-5 with a 5.05 ERA against the Orioles. He pitched 5 1-3 innings against them on April 21, allowing six runs and issuing six walks in the 10-3 loss.

The Orioles - an AL-worst 14-29 on the road - will try to avoid a sweep behind Guthrie, who is hoping for a better start than his last outing before the All-Star break. He lasted only 2 1-3 innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing three runs and four walks, and blamed flu-like symptoms and dizziness as Baltimore eventually won 12-4 on July 7.

Guthrie is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA against the White Sox. He pitched six innings against them on April 22, allowing five runs and eight hits in an 8-2 loss.

Nick Markakis, who is 7 for 19 (.368) with four doubles and a home run in his last four games, is 8 for 16 with two doubles against Contreras.