GDT: 7/17/11 - DET (49-45) VS CWS (46-48) - 1:05 p.m. ET

White Sox trying to keep the pressure turned up

By John Schlegel / MLB.com | 7/16/2011 8:00 PM ET

The White Sox continue to put pressure on the team in front of them in the American League Central race, and now they have a three-game sweep of the Tigers in their reach.

In Sunday's finale at Comerica Park, they'll put the ball in the hands of Philip Humber, who has been strong in his first season as a full-time starter in the big leagues. He'll be matched with veteran right-hander Brad Penny, who will be making his 19th start of the season for the Tigers.

For Humber, the 107 1/3 innings he has pitched this season in 16 starts and two relief stints thus far make for uncharted waters. But it's been smooth sailing to this point.

Like with any of the starters under his charge, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper wants to see the 29-year-old finish strong, in individual games and for the season.

"I always look for our starters to give us a chance to win the games, going out for the bulk of the game," Cooper said of Humber, who has eight quality starts in his last 10. "Nothing changes in the second half. Phil had a good first half. That's great.

"Now, people remember the guys who finish. It's great that the guy had a first half, but now we have the next challenge, which is the second half and the remaining starts for him as well as everybody else."

This particular start means a lot for the White Sox in the early going of the AL Central stretch run. Saturday's victory moved Chicago within three games of the second-place Tigers, still chasing the first-place Indians.

Tigers All-Star first baseman Miguel Cabrera certainly understands the importance of games within the AL Central.

"We've got a lot of games in the division, so if you're going to win our division, you've got to beat our division," Cabrera said earlier this weekend.

One positive for the Tigers from Saturday's 5-0 blanking was the return of veteran infielder Carlos Guillen, whose name was written on manager Jim Leyland's lineup card for the first time since last August.

He went 1-for-4 in his return, and Leyland said he plans to use him as the everyday second baseman for now while keeping an eye on how much he can use him. Guillen played 11 games in a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo before his return, and said on Saturday he feels like he's ready for whatever comes his way.

"[I wanted to] make sure I'm 100 percent," Guillen said. "I had like 10 months where I haven't played every day. You need to get some at-bats, feel comfortable at the plate, feel comfortable in the field."

White Sox: Teahen getting traction at third
Mark Teahen has made two straight starts at third, replacing Brent Morel, and manager Ozzie Guillen made it sound like he could be in line for another start on Sunday against Penny. Teahen went 1-for-3 on Saturday.

"Well, I don't want to change the lineup. I think the lineup was good. ... We're going to face KC next and there will be a couple of lefties out there and I will get him maybe a couple of games and hopefully, he will keep swinging the bat like that. But it's not to take Morel out of there. I just like the way he swung the bat [on Friday] and the way the team played," Guillen said of Teahen, who is 1-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts in his career against Penny.

Tigers: Jackson's wrist still bothersome
Center fielder Austin Jackson was again out of the lineup on Saturday after being a late scratch for Friday's game with inflammation in his left wrist that has bothered him for a while.

The Tigers would like to give him whatever rest he needs in order to avoid a trip to the disabled list, but the balancing act is that the more he swings the bat the more the injury seems to be aggravated.

"It's one of those things where I have to get out there and see how it feels each and every day," Jackson said. "I've been giving it a little break, to definitely heal it. ... I guess we'll just keep going each and every day and see how it feels. Hopefully get me back in there."

Said Leyland: "Is [the DL] a possibility? I guess at some point you've got to pull the trigger on something one way or another."

Worth noting
• Before the White Sox won the first two games of this series, the Tigers had won 13 of the previous 15 meetings between the clubs.

• After a day off on Monday, the Tigers will host the A's for a three-game set starting on Tuesday.

• The White Sox will continue their road trip against AL Central foes on Monday, when they begin a three-game set against the Royals in Kansas City.


Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (6-6, 4.50 ERA)

Penny pitched 6 1/3 innings against the Angels in his last start, allowing four runs and getting the victory. He sits at 6-6 with a 4.50 ERA this season.


White Sox: RHP Philip Humber (8-5, 3.10 ERA)

Humber was the surprise of the first half, solidifying his spot in the White Sox six-man rotation, but he will be coming off his worst start of the season when he allowed career highs in runs (six) and hits (11).


Game Information



RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:

• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Monday, July 18:
OFF DAY

• Tuesday, July 19:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.78 ERA)) VS
Athletics (RHP Guillermo Moscoso (3-4, 2.16 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Chicago White Sox
1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Alexei Ramirez, SS
3. Paul Konerko, 1B
4. Adam Dunn, DH
5. Carlos Quentin, RF
6. Alex Rios, CF
7. A.J. Pierzynski, C
8. Gordon Beckham, 2B
9. Mark Teahen, 3B

Detroit Tigers
1. Andy Dirks, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Carlos Guillen, 2B
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

CWS - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Juan Pierre grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alexei Ramirez grounds out sharply, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks out swinging, catcher A. J. Pierzynski to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

CWS - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Adam Dunn doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Carlos Quentin walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Alex Rios doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Adam Dunn scores. Carlos Quentin to 3rd.
CWS 1 - 0

B:0 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Andy Dirks. Carlos Quentin scores. Alex Rios to 3rd.
CWS 2 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:1
Gordon Beckham singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Alex Rios scores.
CWS 3 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:2
Mark Teahen flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Juan Pierre singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Gordon Beckham to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Alexei Ramirez flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Carlos Guillen out swinging.

CWS 3 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CWS - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Paul Konerko singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Adam Dunn grounds into a force out, third baseman Brandon Inge to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Paul Konerko out at 2nd. Adam Dunn to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Carlos Quentin flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Rios singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Adam Dunn to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Brandon Inge out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks lines into double play, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Alex Avila doubled off 1st.

CWS 3 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

The Tigers are soooo much better than this....

CWS - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Gordon Beckham singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Mark Teahen grounds into double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Gordon Beckham out at 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Juan Pierre grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Brennan Boesch homers (13) on a fly ball to right field.
CWS 3 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:0
Magglio Ordonez doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

CWS 3 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CWS - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Alexei Ramirez reaches on fielding error by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Paul Konerko flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Adam Dunn grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alexei Ramirez out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brandon Inge out swinging.

CWS 3 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

ok, i'm getting scared...can the Tigers hold the lead (hold it Tigers....)

CWS - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Carlos Quentin grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Alex Rios out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks doubles (5) on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Alex Rios, deflected by shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch out on foul tip.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko. Andy Dirks to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Carlos Quentin. Andy Dirks scores. Magglio Ordonez scores.
TIED 3 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Chris Sale replaces Philip Humber.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Quentin. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.
4 - 3

B:1 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out softly, third baseman Mark Teahen to first baseman Paul Konerko.

4 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CWS - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Gordon Beckham called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:1
Mark Teahen singles on a ground ball to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Juan Pierre flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alexei Ramirez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Mark Teahen to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Brad Penny.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Paul Konerko flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

4 - 3 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 7th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Mark Teahen to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

4 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

avoiding a sweep - - good!!!
hope i'm not speaking too soon...

tigers lead!!

CWS - Top 8th
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Andy Dirks.

Defensive Substitution: Casper Wells replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing center field.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Adam Dunn called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:2
Carlos Quentin called out on .

B:2 S:1 O:3
Alex Rios pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

4 - 3 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

hold 'em Tigers....

DET - Bot 8th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Don Kelly out swinging.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Chris Sale.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Victor Martinez out swinging.

4 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

oh, yeah - light out!!! Go Jose!!

Yes!!! Tigers win!!!! Now back to first in the Central, ok???!!!

CWS - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:4 S:2 O:0
A. J. Pierzynski walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Brent Lillibridge replaces A. J. Pierzynski.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Gordon Beckham grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Brent Lillibridge to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mark Teahen out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Juan Pierre pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

msgol wrote:

Yes!!! Tigers win!!!! Now back to first in the Central, ok???!!!

FOR SURE!