GDT: 9/7/10 - DET (68-70) VS CWS (77-60) - 7:05 p.m. ET

White Sox would love to keep winning in Motown

By John Barone / MLB.com

The White Sox couldn't have scripted it better if they tried.

After opening a critical 10-game road trip with sweeps of Cleveland and Boston, Chicago is concluding its 11-day trek in a city where it has thrived in recent seasons.

Manager Ozzie Guillen's club enters Tuesday night's contest against the Tigers at Comerica Park 3 1/2 games back of the American League Central-leading Twins, but the White Sox can take solace in this fact: Of late, the Motor City has brought out the best in them.

Chicago is 5-1 in Detroit this season, the latest portion of a stretch during which it has produced a 33-19 mark at Comerica since 2005.

Pitching ranks among the primary reasons for the White Sox's Motown success, as the team owns a road 3.39 ERA versus the Tigers over the past six years.

Freddy Garcia, slated to take the mound Tuesday after exiting last Wednesday's start against the Indians with lower back stiffness, has particularly enjoyed working within the confines of Comerica Park. The 34-year-old right-hander is 8-0 with a 2.47 ERA across his past 10 outings in the ballpark.

Then again, Guillen would gladly trot out Garcia anywhere.

"I don't know what I can say about him. He's been outstanding," Guillen said. "This guy loves big games. He loves to show up and prove how good he is."

Like Garcia, Justin Verlander is no stranger to excelling in Detroit. The 27-year-old righty enters his Tuesday start with a 9-3 record and a 2.63 ERA through 13 home appearances in 2010, as opposed to a 5-5 ledger and a 4.53 ERA over 15 road outings.

White Sox: Coming up clutch
Chicago has scored 20 of its 28 runs across the past six games after the sixth inning.

... Catcher A.J. Pierzynski has hit safely in 13 consecutive contests, batting .411 during that span.

... First baseman Paul Konerko, expected to return to the White Sox's lineup Tuesday after missing Monday's game with lower back stiffness, is hitting .438 over his past 16 games.

... Chicago starting pitchers have tossed 84 quality starts, second most in the Major Leagues.

Tigers: Sizemore to bolster roster
Detroit will recall infielder Scott Sizemore from Triple-A Toledo prior to Tuesday's contest. The 25-year-old rookie hit .205 with 12 runs, six doubles, one home run and nine RBIs in 36 games between two big league stints earlier this season.

... Tigers starters are 8-1 with a 2.54 ERA in their past 17 appearances.

... First baseman Miguel Cabrera's .335 home batting average ranks fourth among American League players.

Worth noting
The White Sox, 8-4 vs. Detroit in 2010, are 9-1-1 in their past 11 season series against the Tigers.

... Garcia is 8-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 14 starts at Comerica.

... Verlander is 5-9 with a 4.87 ERA in 17 outings opposite Chicago.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.61 ERA)
Verlander didn't allow an extra-base hit at Minnesota on Thursday, but 10 Twins singles and some defensive miscues set up six runs, three earned, over six innings in a no-decision. Incredibly, Verlander has yet to face the White Sox this season.

WHITE SOX: RHP Freddy Garcia (11-5, 4.82 ERA)
Garcia left early from his last start in Cleveland with a stiff back but said over the weekend in Boston that he'll be ready to go against the Tigers. Garcia, tentatively listed as the starter, is trying to improve on an 18-6 career mark vs. Detroit.




INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Zach Miner (Partial tear in right elbow, 60-day DL on March 26, Had successful Tommy John surgery May 28, Out for Season),
• LHP Bobby Seay (Torn rotator cuff, 60-day DL on March 26, surgery on September 15, Out for Season),
• OF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle fracture, 15-day DL on July 25, Had surgery surgery Aug. 25, Out for Season),
• INF Danny Worth (bruised left heel, 15-day DL on August 4, Out for Season),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29, Underwent elbow surgery July 12, Out for Season).
• Carlos Guillen (Bruised left knee, 15-day DL on August 23)


Out for Season
Expected Back


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Wednesday, September 8,
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (7-9, 5.25 ERA)) VS WHITE SOX (LHP John Danks (13-9, 3.56 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Thursday, September 9,
TIGERS (RHP Rick Porcello (8-11, 5.20 ERA)) VS WHITE SOX (RHP Gavin Floyd (10-11, 3.78 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Friday, September 10,
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (4-5, 3.89 ERA)) VS ORIOLES (RHP Kevin Millwood (3-15, 5.38 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Chi White Sox AVG
Pierre, LF .278
Vizquel, 2B .283
Rios, CF .292
Ramirez, M, DH .321
Teahen, 3B .268
Quentin, RF .241
Pierzynski, C .264
Kotsay, 1B .242
Ramirez, A, SS .284
Totals .272

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .305
Rhymes, 2B .310
Damon, DH .266
Cabrera, M, 1B .334
Kelly, LF .249
Boesch, RF .266
Peralta, J, SS .249
Inge, 3B .251
Avila, C .218
Totals .269