Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2011 ) Minnesota 0, Chi. White Sox 3

THE STORY: The Chicago White Sox are two games above .500 for the first time since April 13, and they have also moved within five games of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. The White Sox have won four straight contests entering Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins and will attempt to put more pressure on the Tigers prior to this weekend’s three-game series between the two teams in Detroit. Mark Buehrle pitched 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball in Monday’s contest as Chicago won 3-0 and handed Minnesota its eighth loss in nine games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), CSN (Chicago).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Anthony Swarzak (3-4, 3.62 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Zach Stewart (1-3, 4.76 ERA)

Swarzak is starting in Francisco Liriano’s spot in the rotation after Liriano went on the disabled list. Swarzak pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief against Baltimore last Thursday in a game in which Liriano left with a shoulder injury. Swarzak gave up five runs and eight hits and took the loss. This is his sixth start of the season but first since July 18. Swarzak defeated Chicago on July 10 when he gave up one run and four hits in six innings in his lone career appearance against the White Sox.

Stewart is making his fourth start for Chicago since being acquired from Toronto. He was rocked for seven runs in six innings while losing to the Los Angeles Angels in his last start. Stewart’s only major-league victory came against Minnesota on Aug. 6 when he allowed one run and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. That marked his first career appearance against the Twins.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (67-65): Chicago hasn’t been three games above .500 since opening the season with a 7-4 mark. Monday’s victory was the 159th of Buehrle’s career, moving him into a tie for sixth place in White Sox history. First baseman Paul Konerko played in the field Monday after serving as the designated hitter for 22 consecutive games. Konerko had been limited to DH duties due to calf and knee soreness. Dayan Viciedo is 4-for-6 with four RBIs in two games since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte. Slumping Adam Dunn didn’t play for the second straight game and manager Ozzie Guillen has expressed that he will play the hot hand down the stretch. Dunn is batting just .163 with 11 homers.

ABOUT THE TWINS (56-78): Minnesota has scored one run or fewer in seven of the last nine games while falling to 6-20 in August. Joe Mauer missed his sixth straight game with a stiff neck but could possibly return to action Tuesday. First baseman Justin Morneau hopes to be back in the lineup as well after missing Monday’s game with shoulder soreness. Outfielder Michael Cuddyer was hitless in four at-bats after missing the previous two games due to a wrist injury. Shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka (back) also returned to action Monday and reached base three times on a single and two walks.

FINAL PITCH: “We had a little chat. It was nice. He understands my point. I understand his point. When you have communication, people know what you have in mind.” Guillen on his Monday sit-down with the struggling Dunn.