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BAL@DET: Britton hurls seven scoreless vs. Tigers

Chicago struggled in the first two games of a four-game set at Baltimore, but what a difference a day makes.

The White Sox won the third game of the series 8-1 and will look to salvage a split against the Orioles on Thursday.

Both teams are very much alive in the playoff hunt and could use a win. White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he's happy with the position his team is in.

"I don't know if you're looking forward to it, but you're happy that is the way it is, that we do get to play those meaningful games," Ventura said.

The White Sox will need a solid outing from starter Jose Quintana, who's done well so far in August. In four starts in the month, the lefty has allowed just nine runs, going 1-1 with a 3.08 ERA.

His last start ended in a no-decision after throwing 5 2/3 innings and giving up three runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts.

Fellow southpaw Zach Britton, who makes the start for Baltimore, is coming off a pair of solid starts as well, each resulting in a win. The latest was 6 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays, in which he gave up two runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Britton has been hot and cold since being called up to the Majors on July 17. In four of his seven starts, he's given up four or more runs, but he's given up two or fewer in the other three outings.

White Sox: Pierzynski sits Wednesday against Orioles
• For one reason or another, Orioles pitchers have had A.J. Pierzynski's number, and it led to Ventura giving him the night off in Wednesday's victory.

Tyler Flowers started in place of the veteran Pierzynski, who's been hitless in his last 14 at-bats against Baltimore and is just 5-for-32 in his last 10 games against the club.

"I think it's more for the mind than anything else," Ventura said about the move. "Tyler's been doing fine lately, so it's a good break for A.J."

Ventura added that Pierzynski will be back in the lineup in the series finale on Thursday.

Orioles: Bundy won't be part of callups
• When rosters expand on Saturday, one player who likely won't be called up to the Majors is 19-year-old pitching prospect Dylan Bundy.

Instead, Baltimore will send the fourth overall pick from the 2011 First-Year Player Draft to instructional league when the season ends for Double-A Bowie. Bundy, who is in his first professional season, was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings with Bowie after being promoted from Class A Frederick.

Bundy is considered the organization's top pitching prospect, and manager Buck Showalter didn't rule him out of being called up to Baltimore at some point before the end of the year.

"There's some other things that happen if you do that," Showalter said. "Frankly, what you got to ask yourself is, does he have a chance to be on your club to start the season next year? And that kind of affects the way you look at it."

Worth noting
• White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy, who has a minor eye injury, is not expected to miss Friday's start after being pushed back from Wednesday.

• Orioles outfielder Adam Jones went 0-for-4 on Wednesday, a day after hitting his 100th career home run.

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