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Mariners-White Sox Preview

Apr 25, 2010 - 1:35 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Seattle (9-8) at Chicago (6-11), 2:05 p.m. EDT

After their offense failed to give them much of a chance during an ugly seven-game stretch, the Chicago White Sox aren't about to complain about needing some late drama.

the White Sox seek to ride the momentum from consecutive game-ending homers and complete a sweep of the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Chicago (7-11), which had totaled 17 runs and hit .198 while losing six of seven before the Mariners (9-9) came to town, may be getting back on track after a pair of exciting victories.

The White Sox surrendered a three-run lead in the seventh inning Friday but rallied, tying the score in the bottom of the seventh before winning 7-6 on Andruw Jones' ninth-inning homer.

It appeared Seattle would grab the series' second game Saturday afternoon after scoring twice off Bobby Jenks in the top of the ninth to take a 4-2 lead, but again, Chicago wasn't done. Paul Konerko homered with one out to cut the deficit in half, and after Carlos Quentin walked, Alex Rios' blast gave the White Sox a stunning 5-4 victory.

"I mean, you would rather win a laugher, like 8-2," Konerko told the team's official website. "But after you win, it brings the team together more. So, you take it and run with it."

Despite the weekend's dramatics, Chicago still has a .224 team batting average and a 5.47 ERA from the starting rotation. The rotation's biggest bright spot will get the ball Sunday.

John Danks (2-0, 1.29 ERA) has allowed only one earned run in each of his first three starts. He yielded one run and two hits over eight innings - striking out nine - in a 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Rays manager Joe Maddon was impressed.

"He's good. He had it all going on today," Maddon said. "... He's one of the best pitchers in the league and I've been saying that for years. He showed that again tonight."

Danks was 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA in his first four career starts against Seattle, but he's been excellent in his last two. He lasted eight innings in each post-All-Star break outing last season, going 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA.

Jason Vargas (2-1, 3.93) gets the ball for the Mariners, seeking his third straight strong start. The right-hander gave up two runs over six innings of a 4-2 home win over Oakland on April 14, and held Baltimore to three hits and a run over seven innings Tuesday in a 3-1 victory - also in Seattle.

"I thought he pitched aggressive," manager Don Wakamatsu told the Mariners' official website. "I thought he changed speeds well, and when you watch him pitch out there, there's a confidence to him. He ends up being efficient and finding a way to win."

Vargas needs to impress Wakamatsu to remain in the rotation after the injured Cliff Lee comes off the disabled list to make his Mariners debut. The other candidate - Saturday's starter Doug Fister - has a 1.67 ERA in four starts.

Vargas' only experience against the White Sox came in two-thirds of an inning of scoreless relief last September.

Two Mariners regulars could miss the series finale. Shortstop Jack Wilson was limited to pinch-running duty Saturday due to swelling in his right thumb, while outfielder Milton Bradley will likely miss a second straight game with a sore calf.