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White Sox look to battle out of AL Central cellar

Sep 17, 2007 - 2:20 PM Chi White Sox (64-85) at Kansas City (64-84) 8:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- One day after reaching a milestone, Jim Thome will try to help the Chicago White Sox out of last place in the American League Central Division.

Thome and the White Sox hope to carry some momentum from an emotional win Monday when they start a four-game series with the Kansas City Royals in a matchup between the two worst teams in the AL Central.

Thome became the 23rd player in major league history to reach 500 career home runs Sunday, belting a two-run game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the White Sox to a 9-7 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

With a win on Monday, the White Sox will climb out of last place in the division for the first time since August 24.

The White Sox will call on Javier Vazquez (12-8, 3.90 ERA), who is looking to win a second straight start after a 7-4 win over the Indians on Wednesday. He yielded two runs - one earned - and six hits with nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings of that contest.

The righthanded Vazquez is 5-2 against the Royals with a 2.80 ERA in nine career starts, including a win in his last outing against them August 21.

Kansas City will counter with Kyle Davies (2-5, 5.65), who will face Chicago for the first time in his career.