(Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians attempt to make it seven straight wins this evening when they open a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Tribe should have a good shot at extending their run, as right-hander Fausto Carmona has beaten the White Sox both times he has faced them this season.
Carmona, though, has not received a decision in his last three contests and is 12-14 on the year with a 3.79 ERA. He gave up two runs and six hits in five innings against Kansas City his last time out, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 5-3 win.
"[Carmona] started the game a little bit flat up in the zone," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He made an adjustment after the second inning, but that being said, he threw way too many pitches."
A victory tonight would give him 13, matching his win total from the last two seasons combined following his 19-win campaign in 2007.
Carmona is 6-3 lifetime against the White Sox with a 4.50 ERA in 12 games, 10 of which have been starts.
The Indians took both ends of a doubleheader on Wednesday to finish off a sweep of the Tigers and another win tonight would give them their first seven- game winning streak since Sept. 15-22, 2008.
Chicago, meanwhile, picked up a series win over the Red Sox on Thursday, as Paul Konerko belted a grand slam off Jon Lester in the fourth inning and the White Sox pounded Boston, 8-2.
Juan Pierre went 3-for-4 with a trio of steals and three runs scored for Chicago, which won the final three contests and has triumphed in seven of its last eight games. Dayan Viciedo, making his first career start at first base, added a two-run homer off Lester in the fifth.
John Danks (15-11) allowed five hits and two runs over six innings. The lefty fanned six batters and extended his career-high for wins in a season.
Getting the call this evening for Chicago will be reliever Tony Pena, who will be making his third start of the season. In each of his two previous starts, Pena has pitched well, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.85 ERA while allowing seven runs on 13 hits in 13 innings.
Pena, who the team hopes can be part of the rotation in 2011, is 5-2 this season with a 4.85 ERA in 51 games.
Cleveland has won eight of its 15 meetings with the White Sox this season, including four of the six matchups in Chicago.