(Sports Network) – The Chicago White Sox go after a third straight win this evening and a two-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians when the American League Central rivals conclude a set from U.S. Cellular Field.
Jake Peavy kept the White Sox rolling in Wednesday’s opener, as he tossed a three-hit shutout to pace Chicago to a 1-0 win. Adam Dunn, who has been mired in a season-long slump, drove in the game’s only run, as the White Sox won for the eighth time in their last 11 games.
Peavy (1-0), in just his second start of the year, struck out eight to record his fifth career shutout and first since last June.
"This is the healthiest I’ve ever been in Chicago and I hope it stays that way," said Peavy. "This is what I was brought here to do and hopefully I can keep it going."
Justin Masterson (5-2) was equally as impressive for the Indians and surrendered just one run — in the first frame — on five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks over eight frames.
"Both guys threw the ball extremely well tonight," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta. "You know, unfortunately for us their guys put a run across and we couldn’t."
The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Indians, who still own the league’s best record at 26-14.
Hoping to keep the White Sox in the win column this evening will be right- hander Gavin Floyd, who has lost two of his last three starts. Floyd absorbed the loss on Saturday in Oakland, as he yielded five runs and nine hits in four innings, dropping him to 4-3 on the year to go along with a 4.22 ERA.
"They got a couple big hits against him," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said, "but he was in trouble from the beginning."
Floyd has faced the Indians eight times and is 4-3 with a 5.44 ERA against them.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Fausto Carmona, who is 3-3 with a 3.94 ERA, but was annihilated by the White Sox on Opening Day. Carmona lasted just three innings in that one and was pounded for 10 runs and 11 hits.
Carmona, who is 7-4 lifetime versus the White Sox, has allowed two runs or less in six of his eight starts since, however, and has pitched to a 2.56 ERA. He did not get a decision on Friday against Seattle, as he surrendered four runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Chicago took two of three from the Indians to open the season and has won nine of the last 11 meetings in the series.