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White Sox make a stop in Baltimore

Aug 8, 2011 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox shoot for their fourth straight win this evening when they open a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Chicago entered this past weekend's series with the Minnesota Twins riding a six-game losing streak. However, the White Sox reversed their fortunes against their AL Central foes, taking all three games, capping the sweep with a 3-0 win on Sunday at Target Field.

Jake Peavy (5-5) scattered three hits over eight scoreless innings to get the win, while Alexei Ramirez, Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and Brent Lillibridge all smacked home runs to help Chicago win its fifth straight on the road.

"I threw 10-12 changeups and just changed speeds, from 70 to around 90," Peavy said. "I threw some cutters and breaking balls and was aggressive. I can't stand putting people on base so it makes a world of difference when you get a lead early. We came in here and gave ourselves a chance to stay in the division race."

Tonight, the White Sox turn to lefty John Danks, who will be trying to bounce back following his first loss in over two months. Danks fell for the first time in seven starts on Tuesday against the Yankees, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings, dropping him to 4-9 on the year to go along with a 3.90 ERA.

The four runs he allowed matched the total number he had given up over his previous six starts

"He paid the price because the pitch count was deep. He couldn't have his best stuff," manager Ozzie Guillen said after the game. "When you're facing a team like that, they make you work. They bring the right approach to the plate. They don't swing at many bad pitches."

Danks lost to the Orioles the last time he faced them, but is 4-3 lifetime against the O's with a 4.13 ERA.

Baltimore, meanwhile, will rely on righty Jeremy Guthrie, who is a miserable 5-15 on the year with a 4.34 ERA. Guthrie's most recent setback came on Wednesday in Kansas City, as the Royals ripped him for six runs and eight hits in seven innings.

Guthrie has faced the White Sox 11 times (nine starts) and is 3-5 against them with a 4.45 ERA.

Baltimore enters this series after losing two of three to the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, including a 7-2 loss in Sunday's rubber match. The Orioles have now lost four of five.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy (ankle) and first baseman Chris Davis (shoulder) missed the entire series with the Blue Jays, but both could be back in the lineup tonight.

"Yeah, [Davis and Hardy are] progressing well and excited about what we got back from the CT scan and MRI," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "[We] feel like it's pretty imminent that they're back on the field shortly."

Baltimore has won three of its four meetings with the White Sox this season.