(Sports Network) - Justin Verlander tries to bury Chicago even further in the American League Central standings this afternoon when the Detroit Tigers continue their three-game set against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Chicago did not help itself any in Friday's opener as Austin Jackson broke up Edwin Jackson's no-hit bid in the sixth inning and finished with two hits, including a two-run homer, and Detroit used a late rally to pull out a 9-2 win. Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila also drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers, who had dropped four of five coming in.
Max Scherzer (11-10) worked eight innings, scattering two hits and two runs while fanning 11 with two walks.
Manny Ramirez and Brent Morel hit solo homers for the White Sox, who have lost eight of their last 10 games and are quickly falling out of contention for the AL Central crown. Although Minnesota lost to Oakland, the Pale Hose are nine games off the pace with 15 games remaining.
"Everybody is trying to play well, and see what's going to happen next year. Everybody's got to prove that they can still play," Ramirez said.
Edwin Jackson (3-2) no-hit Detroit for 5 2/3 innings but took the loss after being charged with four hits and as many runs with four walks and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 frames.
Verlander, meanwhile, upped his unbeaten streak to five games on Sunday against Baltimore, as he held theOrioles to a pair of runs and five hits and struck out 11 in eight innings to improve to 16-8, while lowering his earned run average to 3.48.
"It was probably the best I've felt all year," Verlander said. "Everything seemed to be working well for me. My curveball was good again and my changeup was good as well. I felt like I could throw my changeup whenever I wanted for strikes, and also for balls."
Verlander beat the White Sox two starts ago, but is 6-9 lifetime against them with a 4.66 ERA in 18 starts.
Chicago will rely on righty Lucas Harrell, who once again gets the start in place of an ailing Freddy Garcia. Harrell was roughed up by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, surrendering six runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 12-6 win.
Harrell, who is 1-0 on the year with a 4.50 ERA in four appearances (two starts), will be making his first ever start against the Tigers.
The White Sox have split their 16 meetings with Detroit so far this season, though the Tigers are 6-1 in the last seven bouts between the teams.