(Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox scored more runs in the opener of this series with the Pittsburgh Pirates than they did in their previous six games. Chicago will try for another offensive outburst this evening in the second installment of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

The White Sox ended a two-game losing streak with Tuesday's 16-5 victory over the Pirates, as Jim Thome clubbed a three-run homer to lead the onslaught. Joe Crede and Orlando Cabrera both hit two-run homers and knocked in three runs, while Jermaine Dye went deep and ended with three RBI in the win. Chicago won for the second time in seven games and sits 4 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota for the top spot in the AL Central.

Starting pitcher Javier Vazquez benefited from the run support despite giving up five runs on five hits in six innings for the victory. The Pale Hose are 22-11 as the host this season and improved to 2-2 on a six-game homestand.

Chicago will hand pitching duties to Mark Buehrle on Wednesday, and he is 3-6 with a 4.47 ERA in 14 starts this season. Buehrle is 1-0 over the past three trips to the rubber, posting a no-decision the previous time out on June 12 at Detroit.

Buehrle limited the Tigers to one run in a 2-1 loss, while scattering seven hits in eight innings of work. In an 11-2 pounding versus Minnesota on June 7, he pitched eight solid innings of one-run ball.

The lefty will try to stay perfect in his career against Pittsburgh, as he is 2-0 with a 1.80 earned run average in this series. Buehrle last faced the Pirates on June 16 of last season and came out on top after pitching eight innings of one-run ball to preserve a 6-1 victory at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh fell to 1-3 on its six-game road trip and 13-22 away from the Steel City following Tuesday's blowout loss to the White Sox. Jason Michaels drove in a pair of runs and Jose Bautista cracked a solo home run in defeat. Ian Snell was saddled with the loss, permitting seven runs on nine hits in four- plus innings of work.

Tom Gorzelanny will take the ball for the Bucos on Wednesday. He is 4-2 in his last six decisions, having beaten Washington the previous time out during a 7-5 win on June 12.

Gorzelanny held the Nationals to three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of work to improve to 5-5 with a 6.65 earned run average in 13 starts. The lefty, though, has given up at least two runs in each of his last seven outings.

Gorzelanny, who is just 1-4 with a 9.23 ERA in six road starts in 2008, has never faced the White Sox in his career.

Pittsburgh won two of three games versus Chicago at PNC Park last season, while the White Sox are 10-5 in this series since 1998. The White Sox are also an impressive 109-91 all-time against the National League.

The Pirates are 58-97 in their games played versus the Junior Circuit.