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Haren tries to continue incredible start in Chicago

Apr 17, 2011 - 2:28 PM (Sports Network) - Dan Haren tries to continue his incredible start to the season this afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim go for a sweep in the finale of their three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

After earning a win in relief last Saturday, Haren returned to the hill three days later and tossed a one-hit shutout to beat the Cleveland Indians, as he improved to 3-0 on the year, while lowering his earned run average to a remarkable 0.73.

"Statistically, it has to be the best," Haren said of his start against the Indians. "I've had games back in the day when I threw harder and had better stuff, but everything was working [against Cleveland]. It was one of my favorite games I've pitched."

Haren, who has never started a season 4-0, is 7-0 with a 1.39 ERA in his last 12 outings dating back to last season and hasn't lost since falling to Minnesota back on August 20.

"It is quite a remarkable streak that he has," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He is the real deal. No underestimating what a guy like Dan brings to a rotation and pitching staff. The guy has had a heck of a week."

Haren, though, is 0-1 in three starts against the White Sox.

Chicago, meanwhile, will throw a pretty impressive hurler of its own this afternoon in left-hander Mark Buehrle, who is 1-0 in his three starts with a 4.26 ERA. Buehrle was magnificent in his last start on Monday against Oakland, as he scattered two hits over eight scoreless innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 2-1 loss.

Buehrle has faced the Angels 18 times (17 starts) and is 2-6 with a 4.38 ERA against them.

The Angels moved one step closer to their first sweep of the White Sox since 2005 on Saturday, as Tyler Chatwood went seven strong innings to pick up his first major league win and Hank Conger hit a three-run homer to help Los Angeles to a 7-2 win. Howie Kendrick hit a two-run home run for the Angels, who have won four straight and eight of their last 10.

Chatwood (1-1) gave up just one run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

"He had great life in the zone," Scioscia said of Chatwood's pitches. "He pitched very well with his fastball."

Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin each had a solo home run for the White Sox, who have dropped their past three games. Gavin Floyd (1-1) was banged up for six runs on eight hits over six innings.

Chicago had won seven straight games from the Angels before dropping the first two games of this set.