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White Sox-Angels Preview

Sep 25, 2010 - 6:23 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (81-72) at Los Angeles (75-78), 9:05 p.m. EDT

After officially being eliminated from playoff contention, the Los Angeles Angels will focus on trying to end a five-game losing streak against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night when the teams continue a three-game series.

The Angels (75-78) were eliminated from contention for a fourth straight division title with a 2-1 loss Friday and Texas' win over Oakland. They join the White Sox (81-72), who were knocked out of the AL Central race Tuesday.

"We saw the writing on the wall," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "It's tough. ... Nobody wants to be in this position at the end of the season, but unfortunately we're here."

Los Angeles has dropped back-to-back games after winning nine of 12, scoring four runs and batting .176 over the last three. On Friday, Howie Kendrick drove in a run in the fourth, but Chicago tied it in the fifth on Paul Konerko's 38th homer and went ahead on Alex Rios' RBI single in the ninth.

The White Sox have won consecutive games after losing eight straight.

"I've swung the bat well, but as one of the leaders on the club, you always think back to what you could have done to make things work out and get to the playoffs," said Konerko, the team leader with 106 RBIs.

While the Angels offense has gone cold at time this season, ranking 11th in the AL with a .250 batting average, that's been particularly true against Chicago. The White Sox have won five straight meetings, holding Los Angeles to six runs and a .178 batting average.

Hideki Matsui is 1 for 16 against the White Sox this year, going 0 for 2 with a walk Friday.

Matsui is 1 for 7 against John Danks (13-11, 3.80 ERA), who will try a fourth time to set a career high in wins.

Danks is 1-3 with a 5.98 ERA in his last seven starts. He gave up seven runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-7, 11-inning loss to Detroit on Sunday.

The left-hander has pitched very well against the Angels this season, going 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA. He pitched a two-hitter in a 1-0 victory at U.S. Cellular Field on July 8.

Danks will try to earn the first win by a Chicago starter in 19 games. The rotation is 0-9 with a 6.45 ERA over the last 18 contests.

Los Angeles will counter with Scott Kazmir (9-14, 5.84), who snapped a personal seven-game losing streak after giving up one run in five innings of a 6-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

He recorded his first win since Aug. 7 after going 0-5 with a 4.58 ERA in his previous seven starts.

The left-hander lost to the White Sox on July 5 after allowing seven runs and three homers in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-2 loss. He is 0-3 with an 8.06 ERA in his last four starts versus Chicago.

Konerko is hitting .478 with two homers and three doubles against Kazmir.