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Fading White Sox open series with Indians

Oct 1, 2012 - 2:45 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox aim to keep their fading postseason hopes alive on Monday when they begin a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Chicago enters this matchup trailing the Detroit Tigers by three games in the American League Central with just three games remaining after Sunday's 6-2 setback to Tampa Bay.

"Obviously we're up against it now, but we'll continue to play," Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said. "That's what we do and what we've done all year. It doesn't look good obviously. ... You never know what can happen. The main thing is to get us in order and go win a ball game (Monday)."

Alex Rios had a run-scoring single for Chicago, which has lost 10 of its last 12 contests.

"We just haven't had it," White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis said. "It's a team effort. There's not one person to blame. Collectively, we didn't play as well as we could have."

White Sox starter Jose Quintana (6-6) lasted just four-plus innings and was tagged for four runs on six hits while walking three.

On Monday, Chicago turns to left-handed rookie Hector Santiago, who will be making his fourth start. Santiago couldn't get out of the fourth inning against the Tribe on Wednesday, as he surrendered three runs and five hits and walked four batters in 3 1/3 innings. However, he did not factor in the decision of his team's 6-4 loss.

Cleveland counters with Corey Kluber, who is 2-4 with a 5.02 ERA. Kluber beat the White Sox just last week, limiting them to two runs and four hits in seven innings.

The Indians are finishing the season strong and exploded offensively on Sunday, as Asdrubal Cabrera capped a 10-run fifth inning with a grand slam in Cleveland's 15-3 rout of the Kansas City Royals.

Cabrera finished with three hits and three runs scored and Matt LaPorta ripped a pinch-hit, two-run double for the Indians, who have won four of their last five games.

Zach McAllister (6-8) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings to earn his first win since Aug. 11.

"I feel like we're just being more patient and taking better at-bats," Cleveland's Jack Hannahan said. "We're doing what the pitcher allows us to do and using all fields, just being more selective at the plate."

Chicago has won nine of 15 matchups this season.