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White Sox-Nationals Preview

Jun 19, 2010 - 4:42 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (31-34) at Washington (31-36), 4:10 p.m. EDT

A string of solid pitching performances has given the Chicago White Sox renewed confidence in their rotation.

Jake Peavy feels just as good about his shoulder as he takes the mound for the first time in more than a week.

Peavy will try to pitch the resurgent White Sox to their season-high fifth straight win Saturday when they continue a three-game series against the Washington Nationals.

Peavy (5-5, 5.62) was scratched from Thursday's scheduled start due to a tired right shoulder. The right-hander was sharp for the second consecutive start June 11, limiting the Cubs to two runs and six hits over seven innings of a 10-5 win at Wrigley Field. He posted a 7.36 ERA over the previous four outings.

An MRI revealed no structural damage, and the White Sox (32-34) said he responded well to treatment.

"We go by ear and I talked to him about it, and I'd rather have him miss two starts than miss six starts," manager Ozzie Guillen told the team's official website. "He promised me he would be fine. He's not going to lie to me, because nobody lies to us."

Peavy will look to improve on a 2-4 record versus the Nationals as he makes his first start against them since 2007.

Worries about Peavy's shoulder come as the White Sox, who began play last week with the worst ERA in the AL at 4.81, appear to be turning things around. On Friday, Gavin Floyd gave up one run in eight innings of a 2-1, 11-inning victory over Washington (31-37) for the team's eighth win in nine games. The starters have a 2.09 ERA over that stretch.

Stephen Strasburg did not receive a decision, allowing one run and striking out 10 over seven innings.

The White Sox went ahead in the 11th after Mark Kotsay scored on a two-out single by Alex Rios that was mishandled by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The win moved them within 5 1/2 games of AL Central-leading Minnesota.

Despite another excellent start by Strasburg, Washington dropped its fourth straight and sixth in the last seven games. The Nationals have scored 11 runs and are batting .199 during their four-game skid.

"Stephen gave us a chance, like he's probably going to do every single time," said Adam Dunn, whose RBI double in the seventh inning accounted for Washington's only run. "Our offense just stunk it up."

The Nationals will hand the ball Saturday to J.D. Martin (0-2, 4.19), who is making his fourth start since being called up from Triple-A Syracuse on May 29.

The right-hander pitched a career-high 7 2-3 innings Saturday at Cleveland, but was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in a 7-1 loss.

Martin is making his first appearance against the White Sox.

Dayan Viciedo is expected to make his major league debut at third base for Chicago on Saturday. The 21-year-old defected from Cuba and was signed by the White Sox in 2008. He hit .288 with 13 homers and 31 RBIs in 61 games for Triple-A Charlotte.