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White Sox seek fourth straight win vs. slumping Giants

May 17, 2008 - 2:49 PM Chi White Sox (21-20) at San Francisco (17-26) ,9:05 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox seek their fourth consecutive victory Saturday when they meet the struggling San Francisco Giants in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Rookie Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run blast - his first career home run - in the seventh inning to lead the White Sox to a 2-0 victory over the Giants on Friday.

The 26-year-old Ramirez, who defected from Cuba last November, was signed by Chicago on January 22 and only has four hits in his last 28 at-bats.

"I feel very happy, and also this home run helped me out because I'm going to show all the fans in Chicago who Alexei is," Ramirez said through an interpreter. "I work hard to concentrate on this game and I receive a lot of support from my family, and I want to keep it going to help this team."

The White Sox hope that slumping lefthander Mark Buehrle (1-5, 5.81 ERA) can help continue the club's recent success.

Buehrle, who has lost his last five decisions, was roughed up for eight runs - six earned - and 10 hits over 5 2/3 frames in Monday's 10-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Still, Buehrle's struggles seem minor compared to the woes of San Francisco starter Barry Zito (0-7, 6.58), who had to be happy not to get a loss in his last start after dropping his first seven outings of the season.

Zito lasted six innings, surrendering three runs and seven hits in a 7-3 setback to the Houston Astros on Monday. The 2002 American League Cy Young winner is yet to pitch past the sixth frame this season.