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Indians-White Sox Preview

Aug 9, 2009 - 5:56 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Cleveland (47-62) at Chicago (56-54), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Though the bullpen helped the Chicago White Sox avoid a third straight loss, that could leave them with limited options if Jose Contreras' struggles continue.

Contreras takes the mound Sunday as the White Sox try to win their eighth straight series at U.S. Cellular Field in their finale against the Cleveland Indians.

Chicago (57-54) moved back within two games of Detroit for the AL Central lead Saturday following an 8-5 win over Cleveland (47-63), which won 6-2 on Friday.

The White Sox scored seven unanswered runs after the Indians took a 5-1 lead in the fifth, sparked by Jim Thome's 562nd career home run. He is one behind Reggie Jackson for No. 12 on the career list.

"The last couple of game we were very flat," said manager Ozzie Guillen, whose White Sox haven't lost a series at home since June 8-11 against Detroit. "When Jimmy hit that home run that was a great opportunity because everybody put their heads up and started swinging the bat like the way we think we can swing the bat."

Chicago's bullpen, meanwhile, gave up one run in 5 2-3 innings after rookie Carlos Torres failed to make it out of the fourth. White Sox relievers have gone 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA in the last eight games, pitching 29 2-3 innings.

Bobby Jenks returned to the mound Saturday for the first time in a week and retired both batters he faced. The White Sox closer had been sidelined with kidney stones.

The extended use of the bullpen Saturday limits Guillen's options in relief if Contreras (4-10, 4.95 ERA) falters again. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.52 ERA in his last four outings and has failed to make it out of the fifth inning twice.

Contreras was pulled after 2 2-3 innings Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels as his control problems continued in a 5-4 victory. He allowed one hit but was charged with three runs after walking five and throwing two wild pitches. He's issued 15 walks over his last 19 1-3 innings.

Contreras, though, has pitched well against the Indians this season, going 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA over 14 1-3 innings with two walks and 17 strikeouts. He's 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last six games against them.

Cleveland had won three straight before having its own control issues Saturday, hitting three batters and throwing a wild pitch. The Indians also went deep into their bullpen since Justin Masterson exited after four innings when he met a pre-determined pitch count.

Cleveland hopes for more effective at-bats in the series finale after striking out 15 times Saturday - four by Travis Hafner. The Indians were 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

Asdrubal Cabrera, though, had three hits and is batting .444 in his last eight games.

David Huff (5-6, 6.81) will take the mound as the Indians try to bounce back to win their third straight series against a division rival.

Huff has lost his last two starts. He gave up seven runs and a season-high 11 hits in 4 2-3 innings of a 10-1 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.

The Indians have won both of Huff's starts against the White Sox this season even though he has a 9.64 ERA over 9 1-3 innings.