GDT: 7/26/11 - DET (54-48) AT CWS (50-51) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Verlander meets Peavy in key AL Central match

By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 7/26/2011 12:48 AM ET

Ready to take the hill on Tuesday against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, Jake Peavy knows he's seen as the underdog in the matchup.

And while the White Sox right-hander understands that, he's still going to enjoy facing one of baseball's best pitchers at U.S Cellular Field.

"There ain't nobody betting me versus that guy. I get that," Peavy said. "There was a time when I think it might be tit for tat. But I can't promise you anything. But I'm going to have an absolute blast getting to compete against one of the game's best."

Peavy is especially looking forward to competing in an exciting division matchup that has the third-place White Sox 3 1/2 games back of the first-place Tigers in the American League Central.

"It's not the end of the world if we don't win this series, but we have to show up and play good baseball against these guys," Peavy said. "If you can't get excited about this, you can't get excited. This is what you're asked to do, play in a pennant race late in the season and have a chance to play the team you're chasing. These next 7-10 days are going to determine a lot about the way our season's going to go."

To be able to match Verlander, Peavy is going to have to do better than his previous six starts. Compiling a record of 1-4 with a 7.39 ERA in that span, he'll pitch Tuesday on an extra two days of rest.

Against the Royals last Tuesday, Peavy (4-4, 5.19 ERA) gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings for the loss. While it marked his third straight defeat, Peavy said he felt better than in his previous three starts.

"There was a lot more positive in the start than there has been the previous three," Peavy said after the game. "I'm going to build on having the stuff, having the command I had tonight. I threw the ball where I wanted to. Got some swing-and-misses, and that's a good sign. Just came up a little short."

Meanwhile, Verlander (13-5, 2.24 ERA) bounced back nicely after his worst outing of the season against the White Sox on July 15. Tossing eight innings on Thursday against the Twins, he allowed one run on five hits. In complete command of his pitches, the hard-throwing righty also struck out nine and walked none.

"It's tough because he can throw 100 [mph] and then drop off an 80-mph curveball or slider," Twins center fielder Ben Revere said after the game. "He knows the back door and the front door. He can place it anywhere. He's a big-time All-Star, and I'll say he'll be a future Hall of Famer, too."

Winning seven of his last eight starts against the White Sox, Verlander can get his revenge from that last shaky start in a place he hasn't lost at in three seasons. Throwing complete-game gems in 2009 and 2010 at U.S. Cellular, he also tossed eight innings of two-run ball there in June.

Tigers: Thomas placed on 60-day DL
While the Tigers designated left-hander Brad Thomas for assignment less than two weeks ago, the team took it back. Instead, the assignment was voided after doctors recommended he not throw for a few weeks to try to minimize the elbow discomfort that sidelined him.

The injury means that Thomas could not be activated from the disabled list, as he was before the Tigers designated him.

Since Thomas hasn't pitched in the Majors since early May, however, he was eligible to be placed on the 60-day disabled list, thus not counting against the 40-man.

White Sox: Arm strength coming back for Peavy
The All-Star break accomplished what Peavy and the White Sox needed, giving the right-hander much-needed time off from the mound. Peavy noted his velocity and arm strength felt better in his start against the Royals.

"Anything is going to be better than those last three starts before the break. I just didn't have arm strength, no arm velocity, and like I said, when you talk about velocity and your arm strength, it's not just your fastball. Everything else feeds off that.

"Throwing cutters, your cutter's not going to be as sharp, it's not going to be as crisp," said Peavy. "Your breaking ball. So certainly, I feel better, and I hope everything's as sharp as it can be."

Worth Noting
• Tigers starters have thrown eight quality starts in the club's last 14 games.

• With a 6-3 win over the Tigers on Monday night, the White Sox got their 1,000 career win against Detroit.

• Brennan Boesch is hitting .339 (59-for-174) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 23 RBI over his last 43 games.

• Monday's game started a stretch for the White Sox in which they will play 19 of 26 games at home.


Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (13-5, 2.24 ERA)

Bouncing back nicely from his worst outing of the season, Verlander went eight innings on Thursday against the Twins, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out nine. He did not walk a batter, throwing 126 pitches on the night.


White Sox: RHP Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.19 ERA)

Peavy felt his stuff was better in a loss against the Royals, but he gave up three runs in six innings for his third straight defeat. It's still an improvement over his previous three starts, during which he went 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 6-3 loss to the White Sox last night. Duane Below (0-1) allowed four runs in 4.2 innings of work to take the loss for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera homered for the Tigers, while Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta both drove in a run. The Tigers continue a seven-game road trip tonight with the second game of a three game series at Chicago. Following tomorrow afternoon’s game, the club returns home to begin a seven-game homestand with the Angels and Rangers on Thursday afternoon.

INGE’S CONTRACT OUTRIGHTED TO TOLEDO: The Tigers today announced the club has outrighted the contract of third baseman Brandon Inge to Triple A Toledo. Inge has accepted the assignment and he will report to Toledo.

RECENT ROAD SUCCESS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Chicago having won seven of the club’s last 10 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 19 games over the White Sox dating back to August 14, 2010. Detroit is hitting .297 (201x676) with 109 runs scored, 34 doubles, four triples and 22 home runs over the 19-game stretch versus Chicago. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.35 ERA (172.0IP/64ER) during the stretch against the White Sox.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight versus Chicago marks the 13th 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 60 games of the season, 38 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 22-12 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .647 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .647 winning percentage against the division.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game against the White Sox hitting .339 (59x174) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 23 RBI over his last 43 games dating back to June 3. He is fifth in the American League with a .339 batting average during that stretch, while he is seventh with 59 hits and a .580 slugging percentage and tied for 10th with 12 doubles.

JHONNY ON THE SPOT ON THE ROAD: Jhonny Peralta enters tonight’s game at Chicago hitting .356 (31x87) with seven doubles, four home runs and 18 RBI over his last 22 games on the road dating back to May 22. For the season, he is hitting .320 (54x169) with nine doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 31 RBI in 45 games on the road.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 26th consecutive save to begin the season on Sunday 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.

PERALTA PACKING A PUNCH AFTER THE BREAK: Jhonny Peralta enters this evening’s game at Chicago hitting .405 (15x37) with three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI in 10 games following the all-star break.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters this evening’s game against the White Sox with a 1-0 record, 1.61 ERA (22.1IP/4ER), two saves and 22 strikeouts over his last 26 outings for the Tigers dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .241 batting average (19x79) during the stretch.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 3.22 ERA (86.2IP/31ER) over the club’s last 14 games dating back to July 7. Club starters have registered a quality start in eight of the outings.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .340 (67x197) with 13 doubles, two home runs and 31 RBI over his last 52 games dating back to May 27. He is fourth among all American League players with a .340 batting average during that stretch.

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 (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• 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)

• Thursday, July 28:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (7-7, 4.51 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Joel Pineiro (5-5, 4.61 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Friday, July 29:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (10-6, 4.67 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Tyler Chatwood (6-6, 3.64 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, July 30:
Tigers (LHP Duane Below (0-1, 4.66 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Dan Haren (10-6, 3.01 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 31:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (13-5, 2.24 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Jered Weaver (13-4, 1.81 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

DETROIT TIGERS

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, LF
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Peralta, SS
7. Guillen, 2B
8. Betemit, 3B
9. Avila, C

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

1. Pierre, LF
2. Ramirez, SS
3. Konerko, 1B
4. Dunn, DH
5. Quentin, RF
6. Pierzynski, C
7. Rios, CF
8. Teahen, 3B
9. Beckham, 2B

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Alex Rios.

With Brennan Boesch batting, Austin Jackson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher A. Pierzynski to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

CWS - Bot 1st
B:1 S:0 O:0
Juan Pierre singles on a bunt ground ball to catcher Alex Avila.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alexei Ramirez grounds into double play, third baseman Wilson Betemit to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Juan Pierre out at 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Paul Konerko doubles (16) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Adam Dunn homers (10) on a fly ball to right center field. Paul Konerko scores.
CWS 2 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:3
Carlos Quentin out swinging.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

CWS - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Rios lines out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Mark Teahen called out on .

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit out on foul tip.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila called out on .

CWS - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Gordon Beckham singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

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

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alexei Ramirez pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Paul Konerko grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Mark Teahen.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Austin Jackson scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.
CWS 2 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

CWS - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Adam Dunn out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Quentin flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

CWS 2 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit lines out sharply to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila pops out to third baseman Mark Teahen.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson pops out to first baseman Paul Konerko in foul territory.

CWS - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Rios pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Mark Teahen flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Gordon Beckham flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

CWS 2 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Brennan Boesch singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Mark Teahen.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Quentin. Brennan Boesch to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Carlos Quentin. Brennan Boesch scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.
TIED 2 - 2

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

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Alex Rios. Miguel Cabrera scores.
4 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen lines out softly to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Wilson Betemit doubles (16) on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Quentin. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Jake Peavy intentionally walks Alex Avila.

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

CWS - Bot 6th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Juan Pierre grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Alexei Ramirez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Paul Konerko homers (24) on a fly ball to left field. Alexei Ramirez scores.
TIED 4 - 4

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

B:3 S:2 O:3
Carlos Quentin pops out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

TIED 4 - 4 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Will Ohman replaces Jake Peavy.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch pops out to catcher A. J. Pierzynski in foul territory.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

CWS - Bot 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Mark Teahen flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

TIED 4 - 4 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez walks.

Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Will Ohman.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Andy Dirks replaces Victor Martinez.

Coaching visit to mound.

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

With Carlos Guillen batting, Andy Dirks steals (4) 2nd base.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

Pitcher Change: Matt Thornton replaces Jesse Crain.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Wilson Betemit singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios. Andy Dirks scores.
5 - 4

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila called out on .

CWS - Bot 8th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Juan Pierre grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alexei Ramirez walks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Paul Konerko out on foul tip.

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

5 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Brian Bruney replaces Matt Thornton.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:0 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Raburn replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing left field.

Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Carlos Quentin flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alex Rios grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.