June 19--White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija tries to help stop the club's season-high six-game losing streak when he takes the mound Thursday against the Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox haven't lost seven games in a row since Aug. 18-24, 2014.
At the plate
Sox center fielder Adam Eaton will lead off, followed by right fielder J.B. Shuck, first baseman Jose Abreu, designated hitter Adam LaRoche, left fielder Melky Cabrera, shortstop Alexei Ramirez, third baseman Conor Gillaspie, catcher Geovany Soto and second baseman Gordon Beckham.
On the mound
Samardzija enters with a 4-4 record and a 4.84 ERA. He faces Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole, who is 10-2 with a 1.71 ERA.
In the field
Beckham makes his first start at second base this season after playing mostly at third base. He replaces Carlos Sanchez, who has had hitting troubles.
Key number
.149 -- Sox team batting average over the last four games, in which the Sox have totaled three runs.
The quote
"You're going to have to find a hot hand. Whoever is hot at the time, get them in there and hopefully they can spark it." -- Sox manager Robin Ventura on lineup changes
Up next
Vs. Rangers, 7:10 p.m. Friday, CSN.
