• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Jenks highlights matchup of disappointing teams

Aug 14, 2007 - 2:04 PM Chi White Sox (54-63) at Oakland (57-62) 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Both the Chicago White Sox and the Oakland Athletics had high hopes at the beginning of the season.

When they kick off a three-game series on Tuesday at McAfee Coliseum, neither team is likely to look the part of a playoff contender.

The A's were overcome by injuries earlier in the season, losing starters Esteban Loaiza and Rich harden for most of the campaign as well as relievers Huston Street and Justin Duchscherer.

Several position players suffered long-term injuries as well, and the result has Oakland 13 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels (69-47) in the American League West.

The White Sox have been hurt by a lack of offense all season, coming in to the series against the A's with a .246 team batting average and a .319 on-base percentage, both ranking last in the league.

The bright spot for Chicago recently has been closer Bobby Jenks, who tied the major league record for consecutive batters set down at 41 with a perfect ninth inning on Sunday in a losing effort. He is tied with Jim Barr of the San Francisco Giants, who retired 41 straight batters in 1972.

White Sox starter Jon Garland (8-7, 4.56 ERA) will try to give Jenks a lead to protect on Tuesday. The 27-year-old righthander got knocked around by Oakland on May 23, allowing four runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings to take a loss.

The A's counter with lefthander Lenny DiNardo (6-6, 3.28). The converted reliever has won his last three decisions and has allowed more than three runs just twice in 13 starts.