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Dempster fires eight frames of shutout ball

The White Sox and Cubs don't get to see each other that often, but a pitching matchup between the two clubs on Saturday will pit a pair of hurlers who have a solid amount of experience facing their crosstown rivals.

John Danks and Ryan Dempster, both of whom have been with their Chicago clubs at least six seasons (nine of Dempster's 15 seasons have been with the Cubs, and all six of Danks' have been with the White Sox) take the hill for the second game of the series.

Danks has more starts against the Cubs than any other National League opponent (four of his 15 career Interleague starts) and Dempster's 13 career appearances against the White Sox is five more than any other American League foe.

The White Sox won the first round of the annual crosstown series, with a 3-2 victory in the opener on Friday afternoon at Wrigley. They also won four of the six meetings last year.

"Everything's more magnified -- the fans are into it, they're going to stay longer," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of the Interleague set. "It's a whole different atmosphere than any other game. It's like being in the playoffs, but you're not."

Dempster remains winless on the year, though the Cubs won for the first time in his six starts the last time out. He gave up four runs in six innings, allowing all of the runs in the sixth after surrendering just four runs over his first 25 1/3 innings of the year.

Danks, meanwhile, has struggled throughout most of the year. He gave up five runs on nine hits his last time out, going just three-plus innings against the Tigers.

"I've got to continue to work," Danks said. "I know I have it in me. I feel like a broken record now, but I've just got to continue to work. Fortunately, we have two of the best pitching instructors here and coaches willing to work with us, and we'll get it ironed out."

Cubs: DeJesus on a roll
• In his last 15 games, David DeJesus is batting .350 (21-for-60) and has hit safely in 13 of those contests.

• Blake Lalli made his Major League debut on Friday, catching the top of the ninth inning. He grounded out to shortstop in the bottom of the ninth.

• The Cubs were 5-10 against the AL last season and are looking for their first winning season in Interleague Play since going 8-4 in 2007.

White Sox: Interleague can turn it around
• The White Sox are 0-5-3 in their last eight series (though they've won six of their last 10 games), but they have the opportunity to get a series victory during Interleague Play. The club is 51-22 during Interleague Play since 2008, the best record in baseball in that span.

• Dayan Viciedo is 9-for-18 with three homers and seven RBIs over his last five games.

• A.J. Pierzynski is 10-for-18 with three RBIs over his last four games.

Worth noting
• The Cubs are in a stretch that includes 21 of 29 games on the road through June 10. They're 2-6 thus far.

• Paul Konerko's two-out homer in the first inning of Friday's game was his eighth of the season, but his first with someone on base. He left the game after being hit in the face by a pitch in the third inning.

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