White Sox, Twins clash in Windy City

The Chicago White Sox take aim at their fourth straight win game series with the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.

The White Sox enter this series six games back of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central and will meet the frontrunners later this week. But, first they face a Minnesota team that has been a thorn in their sides this season, taking seven of the 11 matchups, including five of the six played in Chicago.

"We have to try to win most series we can," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "That's all you can control. You can't go out there and say we have to sweep Minnesota and Detroit and Cleveland. It sounds nice but not realistic. Try to get two out of three if you can. Try to not get swept and hopefully at end of the day, you are close and have a big punch."

The White Sox took care of business this past weekend, sweeping a three-game set from the Seattle Mariners. On Sunday, Tyler Flowers hit a grand slam in a six-run sixth inning as Chicago rolled to a 9-3 win.

Dayan Viciedo added a three-run homer for the White Sox, winners of three in a row and five of seven. Paul Konerko contributed three hits, an RBI and scored twice in the rout.

Gavin Floyd (12-10) ended up allowing five hits and a pair of runs while fanning six over 7 1/3 innings for the win.

"It was an all-around good ballgame," said Floyd. "To get run support is nice."

Getting the call tonight for the Pale Hose will be left-hander Mark Buehrle, who is 10-6 with a 3.19 ERA. Buehrle did not get a decision on Tuesday in Anaheim, as he allowed four runs (three earned) and seven hits in six innings of a 5-4 loss.

Buehrle beat the Twins the last time he faced them and has allowed just one earned run in 23 innings against them. In fact his 26 wins against the Twins are more than any other active pitcher has against a single opponent.

Minnesota will counter with righty Kevin Slowey, who has lost both of his starts this season. Slowey was defeated by Baltimore on Wednesday, as he surrendered five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He had allowed six runs in his previous assignment and is 0-2 on the year with a 6.84 ERA.

Slowey has faced the White Sox eight times (seven starts) and is 2-3 against them with a 6.39 ERA.

Minnesota helped the White Sox out on Sunday and stopped a seven-game losing streak in the process, as Luke Hughes homered twice and knocked in five runs, helping the Twins get past the Tigers, 11-4.

"You've got to go out to the ballpark ready to play every day," said Hughes. "If you don't, they'll find someone else to do that."

It was only Minnesota's sixth win in the last 27 games, and the second victory of a completed 11-game homestand.

Brian Duensing (9-13) pitched six innings for the win, giving up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits. The 28-year-old lefty snapped an 0-5 streak and won for the first time since July 27.