Wilson Betemit lined an eighth inning RBI single off White Sox reliever Matt Thornton to break a 4-4 tie and give the Tigers a 5-4 win in Chicago.
Justin Verlander gave up a pair of two-run homers to Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko, but battled through eight innings to pick up his 14th win of the season.
The Tigers struggled early with Chicago starter Jake Peavy but finally punched some holes in the armor during a three-run sixth inning that gave Detroit a 4-2 lead. However, the Sox battled right back in the bottom half of the frame when Konerko drilled a home run to left to tie the game.
In the eighth, Victor Martinez drew a lead-off walk and was replaced by pinch runner Andy Dirks. Dirks then stole second base and scored when Betemit punched a base hit back up the middle.
Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his 27th save.