Sports Network | September 7, 2010
(Sports Network) - Freddy Garcia tries to win his ninth straight decision as an opposing pitcher at Comerica Park this evening when the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers continue their four-game series.
In his last nine starts as a visitor in Detroit, Garcia has posted an 8-0 mark to go along with a 2.64 earned run average. However, he did lose there while pitching for the Tigers back in 2008.
Garcia has dominated the Tigers pretty much everywhere, though, over the course of his career with an 18-6 lifetime ledger against them with a 3.79 ERA in 30 starts.
Actually, it really hasn't mattered where Garcia has pitched or who he has pitched against this season, as the veteran right-hander is unbeaten in his last four starts and is 11-5 on the year to go along with a 4.82 ERA. However, he had to leave his last start on Wednesday with a sore back.
"I don't know what I can say about him. He's been outstanding," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "This guy loves big games. He loves to show up and prove how good he is."
The White Sox continued to roll in the opener of this set on Monday, as A.J. Pierzynski singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning, lifting Chicago to a 5-4 win. Pierzynski added a two-run single in the second for the White Sox, who are 7-0 on a 10-game road trip.
"We're just finding ways to win games," Pierzynski said. "We're battling. We're not giving at-bats away."
Chicago still trails AL Central-leading Minnesota by 3 1/2 games after the Twins edged Kansas City on Monday.
Don Kelly belted a two-run homer and added an RBI single for Detroit, which has dropped six of its last 10 games.
Hoping to get the Tigers back in the win column this evening will be ace right-hander Justin Verlander, who is 14-8 on the year with a 3.61 ERA. Verlander did not get a decision against the Twins on Thursday, but was hit hard in his team's 10-9 win, allowing six runs -- three earned -- and 10 hits in six innings.
Verlander has faced the White Sox 17 times and is 5-9 against them with a 4.87 ERA.
Chicago is 5-1 in Detroit this season.