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Royals-White Sox Preview

Sep 20, 2009 - 4:43 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Kansas City (60-87) at Chicago (72-76), 2:05 p.m. EDT

A lack of offense over the last three weeks hurt the Chicago White Sox's chances to get back into the AL Central race.

After scoring their most runs in more than a month, the White Sox look to build some momentum as they close their final series of the season against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Chicago (73-76) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 13-3 win over Kansas City (60-88) on Saturday, bouncing back after opening this set with an 11-0 loss Friday.

The 13 runs were the most by the White Sox since a 14-4 win over the Yankees on Aug. 1. They averaged 3.3 runs over the previous 20 games, and entered Saturday having scored four in the three-game skid, managing only three hits in Friday's shutout.

Manager Ozzie Guillen did not start Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios on Friday after the three combined to go 5 for 30 against Seattle earlier this week. All three contributed Saturday, with Quentin, who was in a 4-for-22 slump, hitting a fifth-inning grand slam to break a 3-all tie. Rios and Dye each had two hits and combined for three RBIs.

The offense helped Jake Peavy win his White Sox debut. The right-hander threw 73 pitches over five innings, allowing three runs and three hits while striking out five.

"I see why he won the Cy Young (in 2007)," Guillen said. "He fights. I like the attitude he has. He will help us and it will help this ball club."

Saturday's win moved the White Sox within 5 1/2 games of AL Central-leading Detroit, which lost to second-place Minnesota earlier in the day.

Chicago, which hosts Minnesota and Detroit next week, has gone 0-2-1 in its last three series. It will send Freddy Garcia (2-2, 4.41 ERA) to the mound trying to end that streak.

The White Sox have won Garcia's last three starts. The right-hander gave up three runs in six innings of a 6-3 win at Seattle on Tuesday.

Garcia is 8-12 with a 6.26 ERA against the Royals, losing his last five starts to them. He's failed to make it past the fifth inning in the last three, including Aug. 18, when he allowed five runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 5-4 loss.

Robinson Tejeda (3-1, 3.09) looks to win his third straight start for Kansas City. The right-hander, who began the season in the bullpen, has been outstanding since joining the rotation earlier this month. After pitching 11 1-3 scoreless innings against Los Angeles and Detroit, he gave up one run and two hits in five innings of an 11-1 win over the Tigers on Tuesday.

Tejeda is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA against the White Sox. He has made nine relief appearances against them since starting at Chicago on April 17, 2007, while with Texas.

David DeJesus, who entered Saturday with a 17-game hitting streak, left in the second inning with a sore right ankle after striking out to lead off the game. Miguel Olivo, who homered twice Friday, had a stomach disorder and was replaced by John Buck in the third. It's uncertain if either will be available Sunday.