Tigers Beat White Sox, 7-3, To Take Series

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Ryan Raburn's grand slam capped a six-run fourth inning that lifted the Tigers to a 7-3 win over the White Sox.

Brad Penny (5-4) allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings to earn the win, while Miguel Cabrera tacked on a solo homer for the Tigers, who took two of three in the series and have won six of their last seven.

Paul Konerko doubled twice and drove in a run and Gordon Beckham added a solo blast for Chicago, which had won four straight before dropping the last two of this set.

Jake Peavy (2-1) retired the first nine batters he faced before completely imploding in the fourth.

Miguel Cabrera's 9th Inning Homer Gives Tigers 4-2 Win Over White Sox

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Miguel Cabrera blasted a two-run homer in the ninth inning to back Justin Verlander’s eight innings of two-run ball, as the Detroit Tigers outlasted the Chicago White Sox, 4-2, in the middle contest of a three-game set.

Verlander (6-3) scattered seven hits and struck out seven in another solid outing for Detroit, which got back on the winning track after losing the series opener and have now won five of their last six. Brennan Boesch also had a two-run homer for the victors.

Gordon Beckham had a two-run shot in fifth to tie the game for Chicago, which had its season long four-game win streak halted.

Jesse Crain (2-2) gave up Cabrera’s two-run shot during his 1 1/3 innings on the bump to get the loss, while starter Edwin Jackson allowed two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts over six frames.

Chicago could have taken the lead in the eighth with runners on the corners with one out. But Verlander blew a 100 m.p.h. fastball past Carlos Quentin for a second out. He then made a stabbing grab and throw during A.J. Pierzynski’s comebacker while falling down at the front of the mound to end the frame.

Austin Jackson followed with a ninth-inning lead-off triple that bounced off the base of the left-center wall. The opportunity looked to be squandered after Don Kelly popped out, Boesch struck out and Cabrera was quickly down 0-2 in the count. Two pitches later, though, the slugger launched an opposite field homer over the fence in right to take the 4-2 lead.

Jose Valverde came in the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk to get his 15th save of the season.

Detroit posted two runs in the first inning but left the bases loaded.

Jackson started with a single and stole second before Kelly struck out. Boesch then launched a moonshot into the right field seats for a 2-0 lead.

The Tigers looked to keep the inning going when Edwin Jackson walked Cabrera and gave up a Victor Martinez double. Edwin Jackson got Andy Dirks to pop out before Jhonny Peralta walked to jam the bases, but Alex Avila grounded out to second, ending the threat.

Verlander was his own worst enemy in the fifth inning after knocking down a Brent Lillibridge comebacker and sailing the throw over Cabrera’s head. The ball skipped into foul territory, allowing Lillibridge to scamper to third with no outs.

Verlander then served a first pitch curveball to Beckham, who sent it into the seats in left field to tie the game at two apiece.

Verlander has won each of his last seven starts against the White Sox dating back to June 10, 2009. Also his seven strikeouts put him at 1,048 career strikeouts, passing Virgil Trucks for 11th place in franchise history…Detroit left 10 on base, while the White Sox were 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Tigers Aim To Bounce Back From Tough Loss

Justin Verlander will try to give the Tigers some pitching stability as Detroit looks to bounce back from last night’s loss to Chicago.

This will be Verlander’s first start since he hurled a 132-pitch gem against the Red Sox on May 29. Verlander gave up four hits and no runs in 7 2/3 innings to help the Tigers beat the Red Sox, 3-0. Verlander will be going up tonight against former teammate Edwin Jackson who gets the nod for Chicago.

Detroit will hope Verlander can give them a solid outing after starter Andy Oliver lasted only 3 2/3 innings on Friday, forcing the Tigers to go to the bullpen early.

Don Kelly gets the start at third base tonight after Danny Worth started last night. Andy Dirks takes over in right field as Casper Wells sits. Ryan Raburn, who has just eight hits in his last 66 at-bats, moves down to ninth in the order.

Tigers Lineup
1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Don Kelly 3B
3. Brennan Boesch RF
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Victor Martinez DH
6. Andy Dirks LF
7. Jhonny Peralta SS
8. Alex Avila C
9. Ryan Raburn 2B
Pitching: Justin Verlander (5-3, 3.12 ERA)

White Sox Lineup
1. Juan Pierre LF
2. Alexi Ramirez SS
3. Carlos Quentin DH
4. A.J. Pierzynski C
5. Alex Rios CF
6. Brent Lillibridge RF
7. Adam Dunn 1B
8. Gordon Beckham 2B
9. Brent Morel 3B
Pitching: Edwin Jackson (4-5, 4.63 ERA)

Andy Oliver Roughed Up As Tigers Drop First Game To White Sox, 6-4

Tigers starter Andy Oliver failed to last four innings as the White Sox jumped on him early and hung on for a 6-4 win Friday.

Carlos Quentin hit a three-run shot in the fourth inning that opened up a 4-0 lead, but the Tigers clawed back into the game thanks to Casper Wells’ three-run homer an inning later. Brent Lillibridge and Juan Pierre each hit solo homers late in the game to fend off the Tigers.

Oliver, making his second start in place of injured starter Phil Coke, gave up four runs on six hits in just 3 2/3 innings while issuing five walks. Charlie Furbush and Enrique Gonzalez finished out the game for the Tigers with each issuing a solo home run to Lillibridge and Pierre, respectively.

The Tigers appeared on their way to a comeback in the eighth inning, loading the bases with just one out. After Alex Avila hit a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 5-4, Ramon Santiago struck out looking to end the inning.

Pierre got the run back in the bottom of the frame, blasting Gonzalez’s 1-1 pitch over the right field wall to make it 6-4.

Detroit threatened again in the ninth when Austin Jackson drew a lead off walk and then advanced to second on a hit-and-run with Brennan Boesch at the plate. In a risky move, the White Sox elected to pitch to slugger Miguel Cabrera with first base open—and it worked. Cabrera struck out swinging to end the game.

Tigers In Chicago To Start Three Games Series With White Sox

Last time the Tigers and White Sox met, Detroit dismantled Chicago in a three game set at Comerica Park. Detroit outscored the Sox 21-3 in the three games, which included two shutouts. The Tigers hope to find some of that magic again tonight as they start a three game series in Chicago.

Andy Oliver will make his second start in the place of injured Phil Coke. Brandon Inge is also out tonight as he has been placed on the DL with mono. Omir Santos takes his spot on the roster, while Danny Worth takes over at third base and Ryan Raburn takes over second base.

Here's the Tigers lineup for tonight:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Casper Wells, RF
3. Brennan Boesch, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Ryan Raburn, 2B
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Danny Worth 3B

Pitching: Andy Oliver (0-0, 4.50 ERA)

White Sox

1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Alexei Ramirez, SS
3. Carlos Quentin, DH
4. A.J. Pierzynski, C
5. Alex Rios, CF
6. Brent Lillibridge, RF
7. Paul Konerko, 1B
8. Gordon Beckham, 2B
9. Brent Morel, 3B

Pitching: Mark Buehrle (4-4, 3.91 ERA)