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Peavy seeks rebound as White Sox go for sweep of Cubs

May 20, 2012 - 2:38 PM (Sports Network) - Coming off his worst start of the season, Jake Peavy will try to not only bounce back this afternoon but also help the White Sox complete a three-game sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Peavy struggled against the Tigers Tuesday, when he allowed nine hits and six runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The right-hander, who turns 31 at the end of this month, has sparkled against the Cubs, going 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 11 career games.

Peavy has pitched particularly well on the road this year, going 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in four starts.

Paul Maholm, who is 4-0 with a 2.01 ERA in his last five starts, counters for the Cubs. The lefty didn't get a decision at St. Louis Tuesday, when he gave up seven hits and four runs over six innings. He's 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two games vs. the ChiSox.

The White Sox had been 0-5-3 over the previous eight series, but by taking the first two contests at Wrigley Field they have posted their first such triumph since sweeping a three-game set in Seattle, April 20-22.

Last night, Dayan Viciedo, A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Dunn each homered to back the strong pitching of John Danks in a 7-4 final. Danks (3-4), who had been winless over his previous four starts, allowed three hits and had four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

"These games go beyond Cubs/Sox," Danks said. "This is a city, this is our fan base. It's a different kind of game than we play the rest of the year."

The White Sox are 52-22 during interleague play since 2008, the best record in baseball during that span. Additionally, they are 17-6 over the last 23 games overall in this series and have captured seven of the last nine at Wrigley Field.

Ryan Dempster (0-2) is now without a victory since Aug. 11 against Washington. That's a span of 16 appearances. The right-hander gave up seven hits and four runs over six frames Saturday.

Alfonso Soriano and Joe Mather each hit two-run homers in the bottom of the ninth off Zach Stewart.

"We're making it pretty easy for pitchers that come in struggling," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "We're making them look pretty good."

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who was hit on the left side of the face by a pitch Friday, sat out Saturday's contest and is expected to miss Sunday's game.