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White Sox hope to bounce back in rubber game

Jul 20, 2008 - 2:58 PM Kansas City (44-54) at Chi White Sox (55-41) 2:05 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox will be looking to shake off a blowout loss when they host the Kansas City Royals in Sunday's rubber match of a three-game series.

The White Sox took the series opener, 9-5, on Friday but could not solve Gil Meche on Saturday, as the righthander surrendered just one run and two hits in 6 1/3 frames. Gavin Floyd matched Meche until the fifth, when the Royals put three runs on the board.

Kansas City opened it up against Chicago's bullpen, tagging three relievers for six runs in three frames en route to a 9-1 win.

Owners of the second-best team ERA in the American League at 3.60, the White Sox have allowed an average of 7.1 runs per game over their last seven contests.

John Danks (7-4, 2.67 ERA) will look to reverse that trend on Sunday. The 23-year-old lefthander has not suffered a loss since May 24, going 4-0 with a 2.34 ERA over his last nine starts.

Danks did not factor in the decision in his lone start against the Royals this season, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings on June 4.

Kansas City will counter with struggling Brian Bannister (7-8, 5.24). The righthander is 0-2 with a 9.92 ERA in his last three starts, including a loss to the White Sox on July 9 in which he allowed five runs in 6 2/3 innings.