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Royals-White Sox Preview

Sep 11, 2010 - 5:53 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Kansas City (57-82) at Chicago (77-63), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago White Sox's struggles against the AL Central are a big reason why they're trailing the division leader. Those troubles don't include home games against the Kansas City Royals, however.

The White Sox try for their sixth straight win at U.S. Cellular Field against the Royals on Saturday night when the teams continue a three-game series.

Chicago (78-63) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over Kansas City (57-83) on Friday night, moving within five games of first-place Minnesota. The teams open a huge three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday.

"Everyone knows what's going on. There's no secrets," A.J. Pierzynski said. "Every single person in this clubhouse, every single person in this stadium, every single person in Major league Baseball knows what the situation is. We have to try to win every game."

Pierzynski hit a two-run double in the eighth Friday to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. The White Sox scored three unearned runs in the inning after an error - Kansas City's third of the night - by shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

The Royals lead the AL with 106 errors, including 16 in as many games against Chicago and eight in the last seven games overall.

"Our defense is killing us," manager Ned Yost said. "Our defense is putting a lot of extra strain on pitching and that cost us a ballgame tonight."

The win improved Chicago to 29-32 against the AL Central, including 9-7 against Kansas City. The White Sox are 6-1 at home against the Royals.

Pierzynski has been a big part of that success. He's 10 for 25 with two doubles, three homers and seven RBIs at home against Kansas City.

However, the White Sox catcher, batting .409 over his last 16 games overall, is 2 for 13 against Kyle Davies (7-9, 5.09 ERA), the Royals scheduled starter Saturday.

The White Sox will turn to Edwin Jackson (3-0, 2.05), who has been a key contributor since joining the team in a trade from Arizona.

Jackson allowed four runs in 7 1-3 innings of a 5-4, 10-inning win over Detroit on Monday. He's pitched at least seven innings in five of his six outings, helping Chicago win four times.

The right-hander went 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA in three starts against Kansas City last season while pitching with Detroit.

Davies snapped a three-start winless streak Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run and three hits in six innings of a 2-1 victory.

The right-hander is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA lifetime against the White Sox, going 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field.

Manny Ramirez is 0 for 3 with two strikeouts against Davies. The new White Sox designated hitter went 0 for 3 with a walk Friday, getting lifted for a pinch-runner in his home debut. Ramirez is hitless in his last four games to drop his average to .259 since being picked up by Chicago off waivers.

"I'm not pressing. Everybody knows they're not expecting a lot out of me because, like I said, I haven't played in a long time," Ramirez, who spent a month on the disabled list with a right calf strain while he was with the Dodgers, said before the game.