The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox started a weekend series that will shape the AL Central race on Friday. Behind reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the Tigers notched a 4-2 win at Comerica Park, continuing their blistering pace since the All-Star break.
Justin Verlander pitched eight innings, striking out six and walking two. It was, by his standards, a fairly nondescript performance, but it was good enough for his 11th win of the season. He now has six wins in his last seven starts.
Chicago got on the board first when Alejandro De Aza belted a home run to right field, scoring Alexei Ramirez for 2-0 lead in the top of the third.
Verlander got some help from his teammates in the bottom of that same inning. Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Delmon Young all drove in runs to put the Tigers on top. Austin Jackson added an insurance run in the seventh inning. Jose Valverde closed out the game for his 18th save of the season.
Detroit is back in action at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday.
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