(SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago White Sox will look for left-hander John Danks to post a third straight solid start on Thursday evening when they try to earn a split of their four-game set with the Cleveland Indians.
Danks lost his first start of May to fall to 1-3 with a 6.20 earned run average on the season, but he rebounded in a solid no-decision against Cincinnati on May 10. He scattered a run, six hits and three walks over seven innings and the White Sox were able to piece together a 4-3 win.
The 30-year-old stayed on track Saturday in Oakland, limiting the Athletics to a pair of runs, three hits and three walks over another seven innings in a win. Danks also struck out six and improved to 2-3 with a 4.66 ERA this season.
Danks has allowed seven runs over 10 2/3 innings in two starts against the Tribe this season, losing his lone decision, and is 5-12 against them lifetime with a 5.16 ERA in 24 games.
Danny Salazar gets the call for the Indians tonight looking to rebound from a rough no-decision last Saturday against Texas.
Salazar was drilled for seven runs -- five earned -- by the hosting Rangers over 4 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits, two homers and a walk while striking out four. Though Cleveland won 10-8, it was step back for Salazar after he fanned 11 over seven innings of one-run, one-hit ball to beat Minnesota on May 10.
The right-hander is 4-1 with a 4.06 ERA this season while striking out 52 over 37 2/3 innings in six starts. He has 33 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings against the White Sox over four career starts, but is just 2-1 with a 5.09 ERA.
The White Sox won Monday's opener of this series for a sixth straight victory, but the Indians have responded with back-to-back wins. They held off the White Sox 4-3 on Wednesday night thanks to Michael Brantley's key two-run double in the seventh inning.
Jose Ramirez went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI, while Mike Aviles also drove in a run as Cleveland won for the fourth time in six games.
Shaun Marcum, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus prior to the game, surrendered just two runs on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in his first major league start since July 6, 2013 with the New York Mets.
"He threw the ball great and kept us in the game," Brantley said of Marcum. "We have to keep it going as a group."
Cleveland's bullpen nearly lost Marcum the win as Alexei Ramirez hit a two- out, RBI single in the ninth inning off Cody Allen to make it a one-run game, but Allen settled down to strike out pinch-hitter J.B. Shuck with the bases loaded.
Adam Eaton and Conor Gillaspie each hit solo home runs for the White Sox, while starter Carlos Rodon struggled with his control in a no-decision. The rookie yielded four hits and five walks over six innings, though he allowed only one run.
"He'll be fine," Eaton said of Rodon. "What's this, his second or third start? Give him some time, he'll be good for us."
Cleveland first baseman Carlos Santana did not start for a fourth straight game due to back spasms, but there is a chance he will be in the lineup for tonight's finale.
The Indians have won eight of their past 12 against the White Sox, but did lose two of three in Chicago from April 20-22.
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