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Cubs' Dempster seeks needed win against White Sox

May 19, 2012 - 3:03 PM (Sports Network) - Ryan Dempster hasn't broken into the victory column after six starts this season, and the winless stretch for the Chicago Cubs righty stretches 15 appearances going back to last season.

Dempster will try to finally end the run tonight when the Cubs entertain the White Sox in the second portion of this weekend's series. He is 0-7 over the 15-game span, and hasn't been on the positive side of a decision since Aug. 11 against Washington. Most recently, Dempster threw six innings at St. Louis in a no-decision on Monday.

In 13 games (6 starts) against the White Sox, Dempster has logged a 2-4 record with three saves and a 4.89 ERA.

Trying to end a personal four-game run without a triumph, John Danks takes the mound for the White Sox. The 27-year-old left-hander didn't get a decision on Monday against Detroit when he allowed five runs on nine hits over just three- plus innings. The White Sox won that game 7-5, but Danks is riding a personal 0-2 mark over his last four appearances.

Over his career, Danks is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four starts against the Cubs.

Yesterday, Gordon Beckham spoiled Kerry Wood's retirement with a go-ahead, solo homer in the eighth as the White Sox took a 3-2 victory.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Beckham lifted Jeff Samardzija's splitter into the bleachers in left field to give the White Sox a one-run edge.

"I'm glad it came when it did," Beckham said about his homer. "It was just good to help the team win. That's what is important to me."

After Samardzija walked Adam Dunn, Wood entered for presumably the last time. The 34-year-old announced before the game that he was planning on retiring after his next appearance.

He fanned Dayan Viciedo on three pitches before being removed to a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field faithful with his son Justin on the top step of the dugout to great him.

"It was time," remarked Wood after the game. "We saw how things were going this year. I definitely didn't want to go out with my last inning being me throwing my glove in the seats. I thank the organization and I thank Dale (Sveum) for giving me the opportunity to do that."

Paul Konerko hit a two-run blast in the first, while Matt Thornton (2-3) got the win for retiring the final two batters in the seventh. Addison Reed recorded his fourth save with a scoreless ninth for the Sox, who have won two straight. Konerko was hit on the left side of the face on a pitch from Samardzija in the third inning and was forced to leave the game.

Samardzija (4-2) took the loss after tossing 7 1/3 innings and yielding three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. He also knocked in a run as the Cubs dropped their fourth straight.

The White Sox have won three consecutive season series against their Windy City series rival and are 16-6 over the last 22 games overall. The ChiSox have won six of the last eight at Wrigley Field.