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White Sox-Mariners Preview

Jul 21, 2010 - 6:09 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Chicago (52-41) at Seattle (36-58), 10:10 p.m. EDT

The Chicago White Sox's extended road trip got off to a bad start. Continued success against the lowly Seattle Mariners could help ease that pain.

The AL Central-leading White Sox look to win their fifth straight over the Mariners on Tuesday when they go for their first series victory at Safeco Field in two seasons.

After losing three of four to Minnesota to open its 10-game trip, Chicago (51-41) snapped a three-game slide Monday with a 6-1 victory over the slumping Mariners.

Chicago hasn't won a series in Seattle since taking two of three from May 9-11, 2008, but that could change if Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham continue to hit well.

Rios and Beckham each went 2 for 4 in the series opener as the White Sox tagged Mariners pitching for 12 hits and built a season-high 2 1/2-game division lead over the Detroit Tigers and Twins, who both lost Monday.

"We had a tough series in Minnesota, but we came back strong," said Rios, who hit a two-run homer and is batting .366 with three home runs and nine RBIs in the last 11 games.

Beckham is batting .571 (16 for 28) with two homers and eight RBIs during his hitting streak.

The duo each went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in John Danks' last start, Thursday's 8-7 victory over Minnesota. Despite allowing six, two-out runs in the second inning, Danks (9-7, 3.58 ERA) earned the victory as the White Sox rallied for four runs in the fourth and fifth.

"I'm just glad to be the recipient (of the run support)," Danks told the White Sox's official website.

The left-hander, who is looking to win 10 games for the third straight season, is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last three outings against Seattle after losing his first four. In a 3-2 victory over the visiting Mariners on April 25, Danks struck out five in eight innings of work.

Seattle (36-57), which has dropped eight of nine at home and 13 of 16 overall, will try to avoid falling a season-worst 22 games below .500 with Doug Fister (3-5, 3.50) on the mound.

The right-hander, though, is coming off the worst outing of his career. He allowed a career high-tying six runs and career-worst 12 hits in Thursday's 8-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels.

"It felt like I had good stuff out there, just trying to get the ball down," Fister told the Mariners' official website after losing his fourth straight decision. "I felt in a rhythm the whole time. It's just a pitch here and a pitch there."

Fister has no record and a 1.29 ERA in two starts against the White Sox. He surrendered two runs and eight hits in a 5-4 loss at Chicago on April 24.

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is hitless in six career at-bats against the Mariners starter, but he is batting .367 (11 for 30) during a seven-game hitting streak.

Carlos Quentin could be back in Chicago's lineup after sitting Monday with a bruised right hand. The White Sox slugger is batting .423 with six homers and 15 RBIs in his last eight games.

Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has an 11-game home hitting streak, is just 4 for 22 lifetime versus Danks.