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Cubs try to avoid fifth straight road loss

Jun 28, 2008 - 1:17 PM Chi Cubs (49-31) at Chi White Sox (44-35), 3:55 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs look to avoid their fifth consecutive road loss in the middle game of a three-game series with the crosstown Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

The National League Central Division-leading Cubs have a stellar 33-10 record at home, but are 16-21 away from Wrigley Field. The Cubs suffered their fourth straight road loss, 10-3, on Friday. Ryan Dempster gave up eight runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings in losing for the first time since May 20.

Sean Gallagher (3-3, 3.97 ERA) will take the mound for the Cubs for the first time since June 19, after manager Lou Piniella decided to shorten the rotation with a recent off day. The righthander is 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA in his last three starts, all of which have come on the road.

The White Sox will counter with Javier Vasquez (7-6, 4.24), who is 5-1 with a 4.14 ERA in seven starts at home.

The White Sox had lost nine of their previous 10 meetings with their crosstown rivals before Friday, including three consecutive losses last weekend at Wrigley. Jermaine Dye has been extremely hot for the White Sox, hitting .400 (22-for-55) with five homers and 17 RBI in his last 14 home games.