Tampa Bay @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 2, Chi. White Sox 5

The Tampa Bay Rays had a string of six straight quality starts come to an end when the Chicago White Sox knocked around Jeremy Hellickson in the opener of a four-game series Thursday. Roberto Hernandez will try to get a new streak going for the visiting Rays when they continue the series Friday. The White Sox have gotten some of their own solid pitching of late and leaned on Chris Sale to lead them to back-to-back wins Thursday.

Chicago and Tampa Bay have struggled on offense and the teams combined for 12 hits in Thursday’s opener. The White Sox made their hits count, pushing three runs across in the first inning and holding the Rays off the rest of the way en route to a 5-2 triumph. That snapped a string of five straight games in which Chicago had been held to three or fewer runs. Tampa Bay had won five of its previous six, but has not topped three runs in any of the last three contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (1-3, 4.74 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (2-1, 3.20)

Hernandez earned his first win since Sept. 20, 2011 last time out, allowing one run and three hits while striking out seven over six innings against Oakland. The former Fausto Carmona has a lengthy history against Chicago from when he was a member of the American League Central-rival Cleveland Indians and in 9-5 with a 5.48 ERA in 18 career games (16 starts). Paul Konerko (8-for-22, two home runs) and Adam Dunn (7-for-22, homer) have had the most success against Hernandez.

Peavy has allowed one earned run in three of his four starts, including the last two. The veteran right-hander has struck out 20 in 14 innings over his last two turns, but did not factor in the decision last time out as the White Sox suffered a 2-1 loss to Minnesota. Peavy has made four career starts against Tampa Bay, going 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA. He has had his most trouble with Ben Zobrist (4-for-7, homer, two doubles).

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays SS Yunel Escobar (hamstring) missed Thursday’s game and is day-to-day.

2. Dunn homered in the series opener to improve to 2-for-41 over his last 12 games.

3. Chicago 3B and former Tampa Bay INF Jeff Keppinger has recorded multiple hits in three straight games to boost his average to .202.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Rays 2