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White Sox-Athletics Preview

Sep 22, 2010 - 2:21 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (79-72) at Oakland (76-74), 3:35 p.m. EDT

While still facing a large deficit in the AL West, the Oakland Athletics aren't going to end the season going quietly.

The same can't be said for the Chicago White Sox.

On Wednesday, the Athletics will look to complete a three-game sweep of the downtrodden White Sox, who look to avoid matching their longest losing streak more than 19 years.

Oakland (76-74) is seven games behind Texas in the AL West with the teams playing a four-game series in northern California beginning Thursday. While still a long shot to overtake the Rangers, the Athletics have won three straight, including a 7-2 win Tuesday.

Rajai Davis had three hits and Trevor Cahill pitched eight strong innings for his 17th win, a night after Gio Gonzalez and three relievers combined on a four-hitter.

Oakland's starters are 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in the last five games, and 4-3 with a 3.23 ERA against Chicago this year.

While the Athletics are still mathematically in contention for a division title, the White Sox no longer are. Their loss combined with Minnesota's win over Cleveland gave the Twins the AL Central.

Chicago, also on the verge of being officially eliminated from the wild-card race, has been outscored 60-25 during its eight-game skid.

"It's disappointing for me," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It's another losing year no matter what. I'm not paid to have a good season. I'm getting paid to have winning seasons and we didn't do that this year."

Chicago (79-72) hasn't lost nine in a row since Aug. 19-28, 1991, but it could be tough to avoid matching that streak against Brett Anderson (6-6, 2.83 ERA), who looks to win his fourth straight start.

The left-hander is 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA in four appearances this month. He gave up one run and four hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-1 win over Minnesota on Friday.

"It's been good to come back and pitch pretty decent," said Anderson, who had two stints on the disabled list this season. "I've got a pretty good streak going on right now after a slow start and hopefully I can make these last three starts and make them count."

He allowed five runs and 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-1 loss to the White Sox on July 30.

Edwin Jackson (3-2, 3.25) will try to avoid losing a third straight start for Chicago.

Jackson was 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his first four starts with the White Sox after being picked up in a trade with Arizona, but he's 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA in four starts since. He gave up four runs and walked four in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-2 loss to Detroit on Friday.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA in three starts against Oakland. This is his first time facing the A's this season.