Dunn references his strikeout total as 'terrible'

OAKLAND -- Designated hitter Adam Dunn only needed one word to describe his play leading up to Friday's series opener against the A's.

"Terrible," Dunn said bluntly in front of his locker in Oakland. "I haven't played good all year. I know if I start swinging the bat like I'm capable, everything will be fine."

Along with shaky defense that has seen the White Sox commit errors in three straight games, strikeouts have also plagued Chicago's lineup, which entered Friday tied for seventh in the American League in whiffs.

The main proprietors of Chicago's strikeouts are Dunn, who's third in the Major Leagues with 69 strikeouts (Houston's Chris Carter leads all batters with 77), and Alejandro De Aza -- baseball's strikeout leader among leadoff hitters with 57.

Dunn struck out five times in seven plate appearances in two games against Cubs. And while he's never been shy about striking out, leading the Major Leagues in strikeouts on four separate occasions, including last season, he says he's ready to break out of his particularly horrid stretch.

"When I go bat, I don't put the ball in play," Dunn said. "That's what's happening. You've got to swing at good pitches and when you get one, don't miss it."

Dunn went 1-for-3 with no strikeouts in Friday's loss; De Aza whiffed once and finished 1-for-4.