Late-game heroics from shortstop Jhonny Peralta gave the Detroit Tigers a 5-4 win on Friday night in front of a packed house at Comerica Park. It was only the third win in the Tigers' last 10 games, and what fans hope to be some momentum for a team that has underwhelmed to star the season.
Gerald Laird was on base, pinch running for Alex Avila, who was 3-for-3 with a home run, when Peralta smacked hi first long ball of the season with one out in the bottom of the ninth.
Closer Jose Valverde was credited with the win. Starter Drew Smyly allowed two earned runs over six innings of work, striking out seven in the process. This was the third game in a row that the lefty starter struck out seven batters in six innings of work.
The White Sox started a rejuvenated Jake Peavy, who gave up three runs in seven and two-thirds innings, striking out six.
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