GDT: 9/3/11 - DET (76-62) VS CWS (68-67) - 4:10 p.m. ET

Time running low for White Sox to catch Tigers

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 9/2/2011 10:30 PM ET

Now the opportunity really begins for the White Sox.

After getting shut down by American League Cy Young Award favorite Justin Verlander on Friday, the White Sox have two more head-to-head matchups with the Tigers this weekend to try to cut into their 6 1/2-game deficit in the AL Central. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski knows he and his teammates have to take advantage of the next two games in order to do so.

"Well, we have to win the series. We can't lose any more ground," Pierzynski said before Friday's 8-1 loss. "We're in their park so it's tough, facing their three best probably, including the Cy Young tonight. It's a challenge, three of our best guys going against them. Will be tough, fans will be excited on holiday weekend, so it will be a fun three days."

Despite the tough road games and the deficit, second baseman Gordon Beckham said the White Sox still believe they can catch the Tigers.

"I think we have a chance," Beckham said. "You have to be happy with the chance this late in the season. That's what we got."

The Tigers will continue to try to squash that chance on Saturday. Tigers skipper Jim Leyland, not usually one to put tags on games, admitted Friday that this was a big series. Still, Leyland said, it all comes down to one thing: winning.

"People talk about controlling your own destiny. You do that from Day 1," Leyland said. "I mean, we've put ourselves in a position. If we play good enough, it'll be us. If we don't, it'll be somebody else. That's just the way it is. But we've put ourselves in a nice position. That's all we've done. We've done nothing more than that."

White Sox: Floyd on the mound
• The White Sox send Gavin Floyd, who has earned victories in his last three decisions, to the hill on Saturday. Floyd is 6-1 with a 3.31 ERA in 15 career starts against Detroit. The right-hander has faced the Tigers just once this year, on July 15, allowing two runs (one earned) in 7 2/3 innings.

• Pierzynski (fractured left wrist) returned from his first disabled list stint on Friday. He went 1-for-4 as the designated hitter.

Tigers: Penny looks to stay perfect
• Although they aren't facing Verlander on Friday, the White Sox are facing a pitcher who has held them in check this season. Tigers right-hander Brad Penny takes the mound a perfect 3-0 in as many starts against Chicago this season, owning a 2.89 ERA.

• The Tigers should be in good offensive shape at second base no matter who they start. Ryan Raburn is hitting .375 (12-for-32) in his career against Floyd, while Carlos Guillen has a .385 (10-for-26) average against the righty.

Worth noting
• Brandon Inge played his 980th game at third base for the Tigers on Friday, passing Tom Brookens for third-most games played at third base in Tigers history.

• Delmon Young is batting .343 with 14 doubles, nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 58 career games against the White Sox.

• White Sox infielder Omar Vizquel needs one more hit to tie Tigers Hall of Fame second baseman Charlie Gehringer for 45th on the all-time list with 2,839.

• Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson has a 13-game hitting streak against the White Sox in which he's batting .371.

Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (9-10, 5.07 ERA)

In his worst outing of August, Penny gave up seven runs on eight hits, including a pair of home runs Sunday in the Tigers' 11-4 loss to the Twins. Penny dropped to 9-10 on the season and his ERA rose to 5.07, the highest it's been since early May.


White Sox: RHP Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.36 ERA)

In a game remembered far more for Dayan Viciedo's 2011 debut, Floyd allowed just two runs on five hits over 7 1/3 in helping the White Sox complete a three-game sweep of the Mariners on Sunday.


Game Information




INJURY UPDATE:

• RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion, 15-day disabled list on August 12).
• 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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• Sunday, September 4:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (13-8, 4.52 ERA)) VS
White Sox (LHP Mark Buehrle (11-6, 3.05 ERA)),
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN2 / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, September 5:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (3-1, 2.97 ERA)) AT
Indians (RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (2-1, 5.56 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, September 6:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (12-8, 5.01 ERA)) AT
Indians (RHP Fausto Carmona (6-13, 4.84 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, September 7:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (21-5, 2.34 ERA)) AT
Indians (RHP Justin Masterson (11-8, 2.92 ERA)),
12:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

1. Austin Jackson, cf
2. Andy Dirks, rf
3. Delmon Young, lf
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1b
5. Victor Martinez, dh
6. Alex Avila, c
7. Jhonny Peralta, ss
8. Carlos Guillen, 2b
9. Wilson Betemit, 3b

CWS - Top 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Juan Pierre lines out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alexei Ramirez singles on a ground ball to pitcher Brad Penny.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Paul Konerko singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andy Dirks. Alexei Ramirez to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Delmon Young. Alexei Ramirez scores.
CWS 1 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:3
Dayan Viciedo out swinging.

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson lines out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Play reviewed and stands as called: Miguel Cabrera doubles (37) on a fly ball to right fielder Alejandro De Aza. Delmon Young scores.
TIED 1 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Alejandro De Aza.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 1 INNING

CWS - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Alex Rios singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alejandro De Aza grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Alex Rios out at 2nd. Alejandro De Aza to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brent Morel flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Gordon Beckham flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila out swinging.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Carlos Guillen pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CWS - Top 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Juan Pierre walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alexei Ramirez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Paul Konerko batting, Juan Pierre steals (24) 2nd base.

With Paul Konerko batting, Juan Pierre steals (25) 3rd base.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Paul Konerko out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Wilson Betemit singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alejandro De Aza. Wilson Betemit to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Wilson Betemit to 3rd. Austin Jackson out at 2nd. Andy Dirks to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young grounds into double play, pitcher Gavin Floyd to second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Andy Dirks out at 2nd.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CWS - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Dayan Viciedo singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Alex Rios singles on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Dayan Viciedo to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Alejandro De Aza flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Brent Morel reaches on force attempt, fielding error by second baseman Carlos Guillen. Dayan Viciedo to 3rd. Alex Rios to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Gordon Beckham singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks. Dayan Viciedo scores. Alex Rios to 3rd. Brent Morel to 2nd.
CWS 2 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:2
Juan Pierre grounds into a force out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Alex Avila. Alex Rios out at home. Brent Morel scores. Gordon Beckham to 3rd. Juan Pierre advances to 1st, on throwing error by catcher Alex Avila.
CWS 3 - 1

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alexei Ramirez homers (14) on a fly ball to left field. Gordon Beckham scores. Juan Pierre scores.
CWS 6 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko doubles (24) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, pitcher Brad Penny to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out sharply, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

With Alex Avila batting, wild pitch by Gavin Floyd, Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Paul Konerko. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

CWS 6 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CWS - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Dayan Viciedo grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Rios grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alejandro De Aza homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.
CWS 7 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brent Morel homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
CWS 8 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:3
Gordon Beckham lines out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

DET - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Wilson Betemit flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson triples (10) on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Carlos Guillen scores.
CWS 8 - 2

B:2 S:3 O:2
Andy Dirks out swinging, catcher A. J. Pierzynski to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young homers (7) on a line drive to left field. Austin Jackson scores.
CWS 8 - 4

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.


CWS 8 - 4 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CWS - Top 6th
Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Brad Penny.

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

B:0 S:3 O:1
Alexei Ramirez out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Paul Konerko grounds into double play, third baseman Wilson Betemit to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Juan Pierre out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 6th
Pitcher Change: Will Ohman replaces Gavin Floyd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS 8 - 4 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CWS - Top 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Dayan Viciedo grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Rios flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Wilson Betemit homers (6) on a fly ball to left field.
CWS 8 - 5

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Will Ohman.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Andy Dirks.

With Ryan Raburn batting, Austin Jackson steals (20) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Delmon Young out swinging.

CWS 8 - 5 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CWS - Top 8th
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alejandro De Aza grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Brent Morel out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Gordon Beckham flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Chris Sale replaces Jesse Crain.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez doubles (31) on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre. Victor Martinez scores.
CWS 8 - 6

B:1 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

CWS 8 - 6 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CWS - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Luis Marte replaces David Pauley.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alexei Ramirez flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Sergio Santos replaces Chris Sale.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson triples (11) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn homers (12) on a fly ball to left field. Austin Jackson scores.
TIED 8 - 8

B:0 S:3 O:2
Delmon Young out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (25) on a fly ball to left field.