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Marlins-White Sox Preview

May 21, 2010 - 5:41 AM By PAUL DIGIACOMO STATS Senior Editor

Florida (22-19) at Chicago (16-23), 8:10 p.m. EDT

Less than a year ago, Mark Buehrle was celebrating after pitching a perfect game. He's now trying to avoid his longest losing streak since 2006.

Buehrle looks for his first win in six decisions as the struggling Chicago White Sox open a three-game series against the visiting Florida Marlins on Friday night.

The left-hander hasn't had much to be happy about this season, going 0-5 with a 6.44 ERA in six starts after opening with consecutive victories.

Buehrle (2-5, 5.26) threw his perfect game against Tampa Bay on July 23 and has struggled since. He's 4-12 with a 4.97 ERA in 21 starts dating to his historic performance.

On Friday, Buehrle will attempt to avoid dropping six straight decisions for the first time since July 2-Aug. 7, 2006. He has never faced Florida (22-20).

Buehrle was cruising in his previous start, allowing one run through six innings at Kansas City last Friday night. The Royals, though, scored five times against him without making an out in the seventh to come away with a 6-1 win.

"Annoying, frustrated - I don't really know the word," Buehrle said. "You've just got to keep battling. I'm making good pitches, but they are just finding holes right now."

Facing a lineup that's unfamiliar with him could help Buehrle get on track. The only Marlins regular to face him in his career is infielder Jorge Cantu, who went 1 for 3 while with Tampa Bay on May 25, 2007.

Ricky Nolasco (4-2, 3.59) is set to take the mound for Florida, and although the right-hander has never pitched against the White Sox, he has faced some of their players.

He's been able to handle Andruw Jones, holding him to one hit in 10 at-bats and striking him out four times, but Mark Kotsay is 2 for 2 with a double and triple.

Nolasco enters this game pitching well, posting a 2.08 ERA in winning consecutive starts. He allowed three runs over six innings to beat the New York Mets 10-8 on Sunday.

Florida is coming off a split of a two-game series in St. Louis, falling 4-2 on Thursday afternoon after managing six hits and striking out 11 times - three by Cantu.

The Marlins lost for only the second time in eight games, and their rotation is 10-5 with a 2.79 ERA in May.

"On most nights, with our offense, if you get those four runs, you have a good chance to win the game," manager Fredi Gonzalez told the Marlins' official website. "... Their bullpen did a nice job, just like our bullpen did a nice job, so you lose 4-2."

Having to face a strong Florida rotation over the weekend may not bode well for Chicago, which ranks near the bottom of the majors in runs (165) and batting average (.233).

The White Sox were swept in a two-game series by the Los Angeles Angels this week, falling 6-5 on Thursday night for their eighth loss in 12 games.

Chicago is a season-low eight games under .500 at 16-24.

Florida has won four of six meetings with the White Sox. The Marlins took two of three in their only visit to U.S. Cellular Field from June 18-20, 2007.