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Greinke, Sale square off in Chicago

Jun 22, 2012 - 3:10 PM (Sports Network) - Zack Greinke's impressive run at home with Milwaukee is well documented, but the former Cy Young winner continues to have his struggles on the road. A trip to Chicago may not help the right-hander out either.

Greinke looks for a rare win at U.S. Cellular Field as the Brewers open a three-game series against the White Sox.

The 2009 winner of the top pitching award in the American League, Greinke has gone 15-0 with a 2.47 ERA in 22 games at the Brewers' Miller Park since being acquired by the club from the Royals on Dec. 19, 2010. However, the 28-year- old has not been as effective on the road and in eight starts as the visiting pitcher this season, he is 3-2 with a 4.96 ERA.

Greinke did pitch well in his return to Kansas City on June 12, giving up a run over seven innings, but struggled at Minnesota five days later. Though he matched a season best by pitching 11 innings, Greinke gave up three of his four runs in the seventh frame and came away with a no-decision. The 11 hits he allowed in the outing were the most he had given up since Sept. 25, 2010 at Cleveland.

"Just left too many balls over the plate. Especially that one inning. Most of their hits were on mistakes, just catching too much of the plate," Greinke said.

The 2002 first-round pick is 7-2 with a 3.10 ERA in 14 starts this season and has struggled in 10 career games at U.S. Cellular Field, eight of those starts. Greinke is just 1-7 at the White Sox's home park, posting a 6.48 ERA.

The White Sox counter with converted reliever Chris Sale, who had won five starts in a row prior to a no-decision at the Dodgers on Friday. The 23-year- old southpaw gave up career highs of five runs and four walks over 5 2/3 frames and also matched a season high with seven hits allowed.

Still, Sale hasn't lost since May 12 and is 8-2 with a 2.46 ERA in 13 games this season, including 12 starts. He has an ERA of 1.91 over his last six outings.

Sale will face the Brewers for the first time looking to pitch the White Sox to consecutive wins for the first time since a nine-game win streak from May 23-June 1. Chicago has lost 11 of 17 since, but is coming off Wednesday's 7-0 victory over the Cubs.

Gavin Floyd pitched 6 1/3 frames of the four-hitter, scattering all four hits and a walk.

"Gavin pitched a great game," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He had great command ... and really gave us what we needed."

Gordon Beckham supplied the bulk of the offense with a three-run homer and career high-tying four RBI, while Alejandro De Aza scored twice.

The Brewers were also winners on Wednesday, knocking off the Blue Jays 8-3 behind four homers from the offense.

Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Martin Maldonado and Carlos Gomez all went deep in Milwaukee's fourth win in six games, while Yovani Gallardo got the win after pitching 6 2/3 frames and giving up three runs.

"Gallardo was really huge for us today," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "We were really thin in the bullpen. His command with the ball, especially his fastball, was really good. he had good life on it."

The White Sox have won eight of their last nine over the Brewers, taking two of three in Milwaukee in the most recent encounter in 2009 following three- game sweeps in 2000 (at Chicago) and 2001 (at Milwaukee).