Sep 16, 2007, 14:45 GMT
- Chicago slugger Jim Thome will attempt to become the 23rd player in major league history to reach the 500 home run mark this afternoon when the White Sox conclude their three-game series with the visiting Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at U.S. Cellular Field.
Thome remained stuck on career homer No. 499 on Saturday, as he finished 0- for-3 with a walk and a pair of strikeouts in Chicago's 2-1 setback. He is 0- for-7 in the series, as he tries to become the third player this season to reach the milestone.
Toronto's Frank Thomas accomplished the feat on June 28 and the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez did so on August 4.
Jered Weaver, meanwhile, scattered four hits and one run over six innings and Reggie Willits knocked in the go-ahead run to help the Angels reduce their magic number to seven for clinching the American League West.
Weaver (12-7) compiled eight strikeouts with just one walk to win for the fourth time in his last five starts. The young right-hander also surpassed his rookie win total of 11 from a year ago. Francisco Rodriguez hurled a scoreless ninth to earn his 35th save.
Vladimir Guerrero knocked in the other run for the Angels, who snapped a two- game skid.
White Sox starter Jon Garland (9-12) allowed nine hits and two runs over seven full innings, fanning five and walking two in dropping his second straight start.
Jerry Owens was 3-for-4 and drove in the only run for the White Sox, who lost for the fourth time in six contests.
Hoping to keep Thome in the yard today will be left-hander Joe Saunders, who is 8-3 this season with a 3.97 ERA. Saunders picked up a win on Tuesday against Baltimore, as he allowed four runs and 10 hits in five innings.
Saunders, who has never faced Thome, lost his only other start to the White Sox and was pounded for seven runs and eight hits over 3 1/3 innings of that one.
Chicago will counter with lefty Mark Buehrle, who is winless in his last six outings. Buehrle, who is 9-9 with a 3.39 ERA on the year, received a no- decision against the Detroit Tigers in his last start back on September 6, despite a great effort. He gave up just a run and seven hits in seven innings, only to watch Bobby Jenks blow a save in a 3-2 loss.
Buehrle has struggled in his career with the Angels, going 1-4 against them with a 4.21 ERA in 14 games, 13 of which have been starts.
Chicago has split its eight meetings with the Halos this season, with the Angels taking two of three from the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in April.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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