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Peavy toes rubber as White Sox continue set vs. Royals

Jul 19, 2011 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - Taking care of business at home is a must, but having success on the road makes an even greater impact.

The Chicago White Sox are still in pursuit of AL Central supremacy and look to continue their recent road resurgence tonight in the middle portion of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. They handed the Royals a 5-2 loss in Monday's series opener and have won 20 of the past 33 road games after a 6-11 start away from the Windy City.

White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle threw seven innings of two-run ball and permitted five hits to improve to 22-11 against Kansas City over his career. Bert Blyleven's 34 wins against the Royals are the most by an opponent. Buehrle also struck out three batters and walked just one, and credited the offense for helping him improve to 7-5.

"It feels like our offense is coming alive in the second half," said Buehrle. "Obviously, we're only through four games, but it seems like we're getting those clutch hits. The pitching's there and giving us a chance to win."

Juan Pierre had two hits, an RBI and a run scored as Chicago won for the fourth time in six games. Pierre is batting .386 with three doubles, two triples and 10 RBI in his last 18 games and is riding a 10-game hitting streak. The White Sox are 3-1 on a nine-game road trip and have won four straight road series. They own a 5-6 mark during a stretch of 19 straight games versus AL Central foes and are 11-17 in division play this season.

Chicago, which was 32-40 against the Central a season ago and sits 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland for the division lead, will visit the Indians for three games after this series.

Jake Peavy's earned run average has been high recently, as the right-hander is just 2-3 with a 6.98 ERA in his last six games (5 starts). Peavy has lost consecutive trips to the hill and will toe the rubber tonight for the Pale Hose. He has allowed five runs in each of his last two starts and is coming off a 6-3 loss to Minnesota. Peavy was banged around for 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings to fall to 4-3 in 10 games (9 starts) with a 5.27 ERA.

Peavy faced Kansas City in a 5-3 loss on July 5, allowing five runs and six hits in six innings of work. The right-hander and 2007 NL Cy Young Award recipient with San Diego is 4-3 with a 4.43 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals. Peavy is 1-0 in four road outings this season.

Kansas City has dropped three straight and seven of nine games after last night. It didn't get much from struggling starter Kyle Davies, who fell to 1-9 this season after giving up four runs -- two earned -- in 5 1/3 innings. He did strike out a career-best nine batters and allowed three walks. Davies hasn't won since April 13 against the Twins.

"I think this is one of the best starts this year for [Davies]. I think he's doing a pretty good job for us and I think he's back," said Royals catcher Brayan Pena.

Billy Butler had two doubles and knocked in a run for Kansas City. KC will also host Tampa Bay for three games on its current residency.

In order to stay fresh over the All-Star break hiatus, Royals starter Danny Duffy was sent to Triple-A Omaha after a July 7 loss to Detroit in which he lasted six innings and allowed two runs in a 3-1 setback. He will get back to work in the majors tonight.

"He's really making progress, making gains every time he starts and we don't want him sitting around for 12 days," KC manager Ned Yost said. "We want him to continue to strive to improve like he's been doing."

The rookie gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings last Thursday for the Storm Chasers against New Orleans. He did not receive a decision that day and has lost back-to-back starts at the major league level. He is just 1-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 10 starts. Duffy, a left-hander, hopes to earn his first win in front of the home crowd and is just 0-3 in five starts at Kauffman Stadium. He will face the White Sox for the first time in his career.

Kansas City and Chicago have split six meetings in 2011 after the Pale Hose had 10 wins in 18 tries a year ago in this series. Monday's game halted a stretch of five consecutive extra-inning contests between the clubs.