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Cobb talks about start vs. White Sox

The White Sox and Rays conclude a three-game series at Tropicana Field on Wednesday and both teams will start young pitchers who are filling in for injured veterans.

For the White Sox, 23-year-old left-hander Jose Quintana looks to extend the team's seven-game winning streak and continue the roll he's been on since taking over for John Danks, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week with left shoulder soreness.

Quintana has allowed two runs on five hits and five walks with seven strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over two appearances. He is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA and fresh off earning his first Major League victory in his first big league start.

In both outings, Quintana has faced the Indians, who trail the White Sox by a half-game in the American League Central. He fired six innings of four-hit, two-run ball on Friday in a 9-3 win.

"He's a little more mature than you'd think he was even though he's coming out of Double-A," manager Robin Ventura said. "But it's exactly what we needed."

Alex Cobb, who has a bit more big league experience after starting nine games for Tampa Bay last season, replaces Jeff Niemann. Niemann landed on the 60-day DL after fracturing his right leg on May 14 and Cobb was recalled from Triple-A Durham.

The 24-year-old right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA since taking over. He has faced the Braves and the Red Sox and allowed two runs in both games while striking out seven.

After going seven innings in his first start against Atlanta, Cobb worked five his second time out in Boston.

"My first start, I felt like my stuff was really good and last start, I was struggling pretty much most of the game," Cobb said Tuesday. "It happens as a pitcher, you don't have your best stuff some nights. That was one of them. Any time you can come away with a win without your best stuff, you've got to be pretty happy."

White Sox: Konerko named AL Player of the Week
• Paul Konerko was named American League Player of the Week for the second time this season on Tuesday. He carried a 14-game hitting streak into Tuesday's game, however, he failed to extend it, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He was 27-for-50 with five home runs, 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored during the streak.

• White Sox pitchers entered with a 2.95 ERA on the road, the second-lowest mark in baseball.

• Chicago has not had an eight-game winning streak since July 4-11, 2010.

Rays: Matsui makes 2012 debut
• Hideki Matsui, who signed a Minor League contract with the Rays on April 30, was called up from Triple-A Durham and made his debut Tuesday night. He started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run.

"[Having Matsui on the team] makes the club better," Luke Scott said. "[He brings] left-handed power, on-base percentage, knowledge of the game, knowledge of the strike zone, and the ability to put the ball out of the ballpark, drive the ball to the gaps, drive in runs."

• The Rays are first in the American League with 45 stolen bases. B.J. Upton leads the team with 11.

• Fernando Rodney is 16-for-17 in save opportunities this season.

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