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White Sox-Angels Preview

Sep 13, 2009 - 2:35 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (70-72) at Los Angeles (85-55), 3:35 p.m. EDT

Scott Kazmir has looked good in his first two starts with the Los Angeles Angels despite failing to record a win. After posting two poor outings against the Chicago White Sox earlier this season, Kazmir may be just looking to stay competitive in his next start.

Kazmir tries to avoid a third straight loss to the White Sox on Sunday when the teams close a three-game series in Anaheim.

Los Angeles (85-56) acquired Kazmir in a waiver deal last month with Tampa Bay and while he hasn't recorded a win, he has pitched well in his first two starts - both against Seattle and its staff ace Felix Hernandez.

After giving up one earned run in 6 1-3 innings in his debut Sept. 2, Kazmir (8-8, 5.43 ERA) failed to earn a decision Tuesday even though he gave up just one run and three hits in seven innings. The Angels went on to win 3-2 in 10.

"That doesn't matter to me right now," Kazmir said. "I'm just trying to go out there and put up as many zeros as I can and go as deep as I can."

While Kazmir has shown he can match up against one of the AL's top pitchers, he hasn't been very competitive against the White Sox (71-72) this season, losing both starts while posting a 9.90 ERA. Paul Konerko is 4 for 6 with a home run against Kazmir this year.

Konerko and the White Sox will be going for their second road series win against the Angels this season after bouncing back from Friday's 7-1 loss with a 4-3, 10-inning victory Saturday.

Scott Podsednik hit an inside-the-park home run in the third inning and then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the 10th for Chicago's seventh win in 10 games. Podsednik is 13 for 26 with four extra-base hits in the last six games.

"Most fans get excited about the ball leaving the ballpark, but I don't hit a lot of home runs," Podsednik said. "What I bring to the table is my ability to run, so it's always nice to round the bases like that."

Chicago is 14-8 at Angel Stadium over the last five seasons - the best winning percentage by a visiting AL team over that span. Saturday's victory moved the White Sox into second place in the AL Central - one-half game ahead of third-place Minnesota and five behind division-leading Detroit.

The AL West-leading Angels, who tied the game in the ninth on Maicer Izturis' sacrifice fly after trailing 3-0, lost for the second time in nine games.

"We pushed it today. We showed that we never give up and we always stay in the game," said Bobby Abreu, who reached base all five times, but had two miscues in the third that led to a pair of runs.

The White Sox, who hope they have enough left to catch the Tigers, could use another good outing from Mark Buehrle (12-7, 3.77).

Buehrle recorded his first win Monday since his perfect game July 23, allowing one run in seven innings of a 5-1 victory over Boston to end a personal four-game losing streak that spanned eight starts.

The left-hander is 2-5 with a 4.50 ERA against the Angels. Abreu is 9 for 14 against Buehrle while Vladimir Guerrero is 8 for 22 with four home runs.