If the Chicago White Sox are to turn things around, they must find a way to string together some wins on the road.
After snapping a seven-game losing streak away from home, the White Sox look to win consecutive road contests for the first time Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Chicago's 3-12 road mark is the worst in the majors but Tuesday's 4-2 victory leaves it in position to win a third consecutive series overall. Chris Sale struck out 11 over eight solid innings as the White Sox (13-17) won for the fifth time in eight games since losing five in a row.
"I didn't even know about the road losing streak until the articles came out," said catcher Tyler Flowers, who had two hits with an RBI. "We need one more (Wednesday), then a day off and then we'll keep rolling."
Chicago hit .236 and averaged 2.8 runs on the road before batting .307 and totaling 11 runs to split the first two at Miller Park.
Avisail Garcia went 0 for 5 on Monday, but followed with two hits. The talented right fielder hit .240 in his first seven road contests but is batting .444 in his last seven.
Though teammate Jose Quintana (1-3, 5.03 ERA) looks to avoid losing a third straight start, he's posted a 2.37 ERA in three outings since giving up nine runs in four innings of a 9-1 loss at Detroit on April 19. The left-hander has received three runs of support while on the mound over the last four.
Quintana gave up two runs and four hits but lasted five innings while throwing 107 pitches in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Tigers.
"Every time through you keep going," he said of his recent hard luck. "(I) want to change the situation and get some wins."
During a 1-0 win June 24, 2012, in his only previous appearance against the Brewers, Quintana didn't need much help while allowing six hits in eight innings.
Infielder Elian Herrera homered for a third straight contest but that was one of three hits Milwaukee (12-22) managed while its three-game winning streak ended.
Herrera, who homered twice in 158 career games prior to beginning his current run Sunday, has four this year and is 5 for 14 with four RBIs in the last four contests while filling in for the ailing Aramis Ramirez.
"I think the good thing for Elian right now is he's getting consistent at-bats," manager Craig Counsell told MLB's official website.
Ramirez has missed five straight games with a back issue and could sit regardless considering he's 1 for 13 against left-handers.
For the first time this season teammate Jimmy Nelson (1-3, 4.00) won't face the same opponent in two straight starts. The right-hander struck out a career-high 11, but yielded all four of his runs on three homers over seven innings of a 7-6 defeat to the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
"We do our best to try to keep the ball on the ground," said Nelson, who gave up one home run in his first five starts.
"If a guy hits a home run it is usually a mistake on our part. Sometimes we do throw a good pitch and they hit it. You just have to tip your cap at that point. That's just part of the game, really."
