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White Sox look for two straight after break vs. Royals

Jul 19, 2008 - 10:15 AM Kansas City (43-54) at Chi White Sox (55-40) 7:05 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox will try to make it two wins in a row to open the second half when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.

The White Sox sit in first place in the American league Central, but crawled into the All-Star break with losses in three of four games. Pitching was the big problem, as Chicago allowed a total of 30 runs in those contests.

After allowing a run in the first inning Friday, ace Mark Buehrle set the tone with seven solid innings against the Royals and the offense came through with 12 hits in a 9-5 win. Chicago put the game away early with six runs in the first as the first eight batters reached base against Zack Greinke.

Kansas City was without slugger Jose Guillen as the outfielder sat out with back spasms. Guillen, who leads the team with 13 homers and 65 RBI, is listed as day-to-day.

The White Sox will send Gavin Floyd (10-5, 3.63 ERA) to the mound. The righthander was a part of that poor stretch leading up to the break, allowing six runs and issuing seven walks in 2 2/3 innings in his last start.

Floyd has faced the Royals once this season, allowing four runs - two earned - in seven innings to earn a win on June 3.

Kansas City will counter with righthander Gil Meche (6-9, 4.71). The veteran hurler is 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA in his last seven starts, a stretch that began after a loss to the White sox on June 5.