GDT: 7/25/11 - DET (54-47) AT CWS (49-51) - 8:10 p.m. ET

White Sox set to challenge first-place Tigers

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/24/2011 7:50 PM ET

The White Sox did the Tigers a favor during the weekend, sweeping a rain-shortened two-game series against second-place Cleveland. Coupled with Detroit taking three of four in Minnesota, the Tigers now sit two games ahead of the Indians in the American League Central.

Lurking in third plaice just 4 1/2 games back, however, are the White Sox, who certainly possess enough talent to make some noise in the race for the division crown. In order to do that, the White Sox need to beat the teams ahead of them. They've handled the Indians fairly easily this year. The Tigers, however, have been a different story.

Detroit is 6-3 against the White Sox this season and has also won seven of the last eight contests at U.S. Cellular Field.

Taking the hill for Chicago on Monday is veteran left-hander Mark Buehrle, the lone pitcher to beat the Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field during the last eight matchups. In that outing on June 3, Buehrle held Detroit to three runs on 10 hits in six innings. The left-hander is 17-9 with a 3.22 ERA in his career against the Tigers, with the 17 wins against Detroit his third-most victories against any club.

The Tigers counter with rookie left-hander Duane Below, who will be making his second start since being called up from Triple-A Toledo last week. In his debut, he fared well against the A's, allowing three runs -- one earned -- on five hits in five-plus innings. The 25-year-old finished with 77 pitches, alarming manager Jim Leyland by losing some velocity in the middle innings. Below eventually regained pop on his fastball and impressed his skipper.

"It made me nervous because he dropped a little bit in velocity at one point, but then he picked back up again," Leyland said. "I don't know what that was. Maybe he was taking something off of it, throwing a [batting practice] fastball, then he picked back up again. He did a good job. He really did."

Tigers: Avila slumping
• Alex Avila has enjoyed a breakout season, but is struggling as of late, batting only .160 with no home runs or RBIs in July. Despite Avila's recent stretch, Leyland said he's not worried about the catcher.

"He's hit some balls good that he doesn't have a lot to show for, and he's probably a little tired," Leyland said. "I don't think he's struggling; he's doing just fine."

• With Rick Porcello's win Sunday, he joined Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer with double-digit victories. The Tigers and Rangers are the only teams in the Majors with a trio of pitchers with 10 or more wins this season.

White Sox: Humber to 'pen
• Right-hander Philip Humber will be available out of the bullpen during this three-game series against the Tigers, with Buehrle, Jake Peavy and John Danks starting against Detroit. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called the move temporary, saying, "I think Humber needs a little bit of a break, that's the only reason we're doing it."

Humber, 28, has thrown 113 innings this season, nearing his professional season high of 148. He said he's OK with the move.

"I'm good with it, whatever they want me to do," Humber said. "I've said all along, 'When they give me the ball, I'll do the best I can with it.'"

• Closer Sergio Santos recorded his 21st straight scoreless road appearance of the season Sunday, extending his streak to 26 dating back to last season. The last pitcher to throw at least 26 straight scoreless outings on the road was Russ Springer from May 8-August 16, 2008, when he made 27 such appearances.

Worth noting
• Detroit's Jhonny Peralta (.299), Victor Martinez (.333), Carlos Guillen (.308) and Magglio Ordonez (.457) have all had success against Buehrle in their careers.

• Juan Pierre is hitting .371 (13-for-35) against Detroit this season, while Carlos Quentin is hitting .367 (11-for-30) with four home runs and nine RBIs against the Tigers.

• Peralta is hitting .412 with three doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs in nine games after the All-Star break.


Tigers: LHP Duane Below (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Making his Major League debut in his last start, Below allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out two and walking one over five innings. Below got a standing ovation from the crowd at Comerica Park as he walked off the mound.


White Sox: LHP Mark Buehrle (7-5, 3.38 ERA)

Buehrle earned his 22nd career win over the Royals on July 18. The veteran went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He is now fourth in wins all-time over the Royals among opposing pitchers.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Twins 5-2 yesterday afternoon. Rick Porcello (10-6) picked up the win for Detroit, while Jose Valverde registered his 26th save. Victor Martinez led the Tigers with three hits. The Tigers continue a seven-game road trip tonight with the first game of a three-game series at Chicago. Following Wednesday afternoon’s game, the club returns home to begin a seven-game homestand with the Angels and Rangers on Thursday afternoon.

RUFFIN’S CONTRACT PURCHASED FROM TRIPLE A: The Tigers today purchased the contract of righthanded pitcher Chance Ruffin from Triple A Toledo. Ruffin appeared in eight games with Toledo, posting a 2.00 ERA (9.0IP/2ER), seven saves and 12 strikeouts. He opened the season with Double A Erie, compiling a 3-3 record, 2.12 ERA (34.0IP/8ER), 10 saves and 43 strikeouts in 31 outings. Following yesterday’s game at Minnesota, the Tigers optioned the contract of righthanded pitcher Lester Oliveros to Toledo.

RECENT ROAD SUCCESS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Chicago having won seven of the club’s last nine games on the road dating back to July 6.

WINNING AGAINST THE WHITE SOX: The Tigers enter this evening’s game at Chicago having won 14 of the team’s last 18 games over the White Sox dating back to August 14, 2010. Detroit is hitting .296 (189x639) with 106 runs scored, 34 doubles, four triples and 21 home runs over the 18-game stretch versus Chicago. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.18 ERA (164.0IP/58ER) during the stretch against the White Sox.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight versus Chicago marks the 12th game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 14 of the club’s next 16 games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 61 games of the season, 39 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 22-11 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .667 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .667 winning percentage against the division.

MAGGLIO’S ON THE MARK AGAINST BUEHRLE: Magglio Ordonez enters tonight’s game at Chicago hitting .457 (16x35) during his career against Mark Buehrle. Ordonez is third among all active major league players with at least 35 plate appearances versus Buehrle with a .457 batting average against him.

PORCELLO EARNS HIS 10TH WIN: Rick Porcello earned his 10th win for the Tigers yesterday at Minnesota. He joins Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer to give Detroit a trio of pitchers with double-digit win totals. The Tigers and Texas Rangers are the only two teams in the major leagues to have a trio of pitchers with 10-or-more wins this season.

PORCELLO WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT START: Rick Porcello earned the win in his fourth straight start for the Tigers yesterday at Minnesota. He is one of four major league pitchers to win four-or-more consecutive starts in each of the last three seasons, joining Cliff Lee, Jon Lester and CC Sabathia in accomplishing the feat. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game against the White Sox hitting .343 (58x169) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 23 RBI over his last 42 games dating back to June 3. He is fourth in the American League with a .592 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is fifth with a .343 batting average, sixth with 58 hits and tied for ninth with 12 doubles and 10 home runs.

JHONNY ON THE SPOT ON THE ROAD: Jhonny Peralta enters tonight’s game at Chicago hitting .357 (30x84) with seven doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI over his last 21 games on the road dating back to May 22. For the season, he is hitting .319 (53x166) with nine doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 30 RBI in 44 games on the road.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 26th consecutive save to begin the season yesterday at Minnesota. His 26 straight saves converted is tied for the the second-longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Todd Jones also converted 26 straight save chances for the club April 25-July 30, 2000. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight save opportunities April 6-September 23, 1984.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 2.96 ERA (82.0IP/27ER) over the club’s last 13 games dating back to July 7. Club starters have registered a quality start in eight of the outings.

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).
• LHP Brad Thomas (swelling in his elbow, 60-day disabled list).



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• Tuesday, July 26:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (13-5, 2.24 ERA)) AT
White Sox (RHP Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.19 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, July 27:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (11-5, 4.35 ERA)) AT
White Sox (LHP John Danks (3-8, 3.92 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit Tigers
1. Austin Jackson, 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. Ryan Raburn, 3B
9. Alex Avila, C

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. Brent Morel, 3B

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a soft ground ball to catcher A. Pierzynski.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to first baseman Paul Konerko in foul territory.

CWS - Bot 1st
B:0 S:2 O:0
Juan Pierre singles on a ground ball to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Juan Pierre to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Paul Konerko pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Adam Dunn grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Brent Morel to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Carlos Guillen called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Carlos Quentin flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alex Rios singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski pops out to third baseman Ryan Raburn in foul territory.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Gordon Beckham grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out, pitcher Mark Buehrle to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera reaches on fielding error by second baseman Gordon Beckham. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
1 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
2 - 0

B:2 S:0 O:2
Carlos Guillen singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brent Morel. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

CWS - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:0
Brent Morel singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Juan Pierre singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Brent Morel to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alexei Ramirez out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Ryan Raburn to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Brent Morel to 3rd. Juan Pierre to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Paul Konerko out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Brent Morel scores. Juan Pierre to 3rd.
2 - 1

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

2 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, first baseman Paul Konerko to pitcher Mark Buehrle.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

CWS - Bot 4th
B:3 S:1 O:1
Carlos Quentin flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Rios flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

2 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen grounds into double play, third baseman Brent Morel to second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

CWS - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Gordon Beckham grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brent Morel singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Juan Pierre grounds into a force out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Brent Morel out at 2nd. Juan Pierre to 1st.

With Alexei Ramirez batting, Juan Pierre steals (16) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alexei Ramirez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Juan Pierre scores. Alexei Ramirez advances to 2nd, on throwing error by left fielder Brennan Boesch.
TIED 2 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Duane Below intentionally walks Paul Konerko.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Adam Dunn walks. Alexei Ramirez to 3rd. Paul Konerko to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Chance Ruffin replaces Duane Below.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Carlos Quentin hits a ground-rule double (26) on a line drive to left field. Alexei Ramirez scores. Paul Konerko scores. Adam Dunn to 3rd.
CWS 4 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alex Rios pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

CWS 4 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by HP umpire Jim Wolf.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

On-field Delay.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out sharply to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS - Bot 6th
B:1 S:0 O:0
A. J. Pierzynski homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.
CWS 5 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:1
Gordon Beckham flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brent Morel bunt grounds out, pitcher Chance Ruffin to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Juan Pierre flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

CWS 5 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Mark Buehrle.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera homers (21) on a fly ball to right field.
CWS 5 - 3

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out softly, third baseman Brent Morel to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen walks. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen out at 2nd, pitcher Jesse Crain to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

CWS - Bot 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alexei Ramirez out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Paul Konerko homers (23) on a fly ball to left field.
CWS 6 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Charlie Furbush replaces Chance Ruffin.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Adam Dunn walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Carlos Quentin doubles (27) on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Adam Dunn out at 3rd, left fielder Brennan Boesch to third baseman Ryan Raburn.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Brent Lillibridge replaces Carlos Quentin.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Charlie Furbush intentionally walks Alex Rios.

B:1 S:2 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CWS 6 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Brent Lillibridge remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Chris Sale replaces Jesse Crain.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brent Lillibridge.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds into double play, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

CWS - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: David Purcey replaces Charlie Furbush.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Gordon Beckham flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brent Morel singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Juan Pierre flies into a force out, right fielder Magglio Ordonez to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Brent Morel out at 2nd. Juan Pierre to 1st.

B:1 S:1 O:3
With Alexei Ramirez batting, Juan Pierre picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher David Purcey to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

CWS 6 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Sergio Santos replaces Chris Sale.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.