GDT: 9/4/11 - DET (77-62) VS CWS (68-68) - 8:05 p.m. ET

Detroit finale a likely last gasp for White Sox

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 9/3/2011 10:00 PM ET

One more shot. That's all the White Sox have, at least head-to-head, for the next week against the Tigers as they continue to try to catch Detroit in the American League Central.

Detroit has owned the White Sox as of late, winning 17 of the last 23 games. During that stretch the Tigers are hitting .298 with 132 runs scored, 38 doubles and 28 home runs, coupled with a 3.26 ERA.

The White Sox, meanwhile, are hitting .256 against the Tigers this season, but manager Ozzie Guillen said he will mix and match his lineup in an attempt to produce the best possible starting nine.

"Now, it's September and I have more people on the roster. I'm not a matchup guy, but right now we need to do it," said Guillen, whose squad is 7 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the division. "We need to go out and put the best guys out there as much as we can. We're in a position where we can't look back. If we look back, we're done. We have to look forward. We come here very positive with energy and whatever happens, happens."

Backing that lineup and trying to salvage a victory for the White Sox is veteran left-hander Mark Buehrle, who is coming off 7 2/3 shutout innings against the Twins. Buehrle tossed six shutout innings against the Tigers on July 25 and is 18-9 with a 3.13 ERA in 33 games (32 starts) against them.

Taking the mound for Detroit will be Max Scherzer, who lasted only three-plus innings against the Royals in his last start. Afterward, the right-hander said he had an idea of what went wrong and seemed certain it would be fixed prior to Sunday's series finale.

"I have an idea what I need to do," Scherzer said, "and I'm confident in my bullpen [session that] I'll be able to fix it. ... I'm just not really finishing my pitches. It's just a small little tweak I have to do, and I'm sure in one day I can fix it."

Scherzer tossed eight innings of two-run ball in a losing effort against the White Sox on July 16 and is 2-3 with a 2.61 ERA in seven career starts against them.

White Sox: Monitoring Peavy
• Jake Peavy, who hasn't thrown a regular bullpen session in a couple of months, could be shut down if the White Sox fall out of contention. The right-hander is one year removed from surgery.

"Coming from me, when you hear a guy is tired, fatigued, well, if I know we're not going anywhere, then I will try to get him out of the rotation," Guillen said. "If we're in, we need him. We need him to go out and perform."

• Philip Humber (facial contusion) returned to the White Sox prior to Saturday's game. He had been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 19.

• The White Sox bullpen allowed four runs on Saturday after posting a 0.69 ERA with 16 strikeouts in its prior four games.

Tigers: Avila wins award
• All-Star catcher Alex Avila was named Detroit's winner for the MLB Players Association's Heart and Hustle Award. The award is presented annually to one player from each big league team who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game. He was honored in a pregame ceremony and now is nominated for the national award, which will be announced Nov. 3 in New York.

• Miguel Cabrera has reached safely in 30 straight games, hitting .381 in that stretch.

• Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Ryan Raburn will start at second base against Buehrle. Outfielder Magglio Ordonez, who's 17-for-38 with two home runs lifetime against his former teammate, also is likely to start.

Worth noting
• Victor Martinez is hitting .347 (25-for-72) with four homers and 13 RBIs against Buehrle.

• White Sox reliever Jesse Crain has made eight straight scoreless appearances, spanning 10 innings.

• Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson has a 14-game hitting streak against the White Sox in which he's batting .403 with three doubles, two triples and three home runs.

• These two clubs will meet for one final time in Chicago for a three-game set Sept. 12-14.

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (13-8, 4.52 ERA)

Six two-strike hits furthered Scherzer along the way to a seven-run, 10-hit barrage over three-plus innings Monday against the Royals, reflecting struggles with fastball command. He's 1-2 against the White Sox despite a 1.64 ERA.


White Sox: LHP Mark Buehrle (11-6, 3.05 ERA)

Buehrle improved to 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA at home in 2011, after throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Twins. Buehrle struck out four, walked two and gave up four hits, raising his record to 5-1 in eight starts since the All-Star break.


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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• 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 LINEUP:

TIGERS

1. Austin Jackson, CF
   
2. Magglio Ordoñez, RF
   
3. Delmon Young, LF
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Victor Martinez, DH
   
6. Alex Avila, C
   
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
   
8. Ryan Raburn, 2B
   
9. Brandon Inge, 3B
   

Max Scherzer, P

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

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

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

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (20) on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Alejandro De Aza.

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

B:4 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios. Austin Jackson scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
1 - 0

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

1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

CWS - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski pops out softly to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Rios singles on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:2 O:3
With Alejandro De Aza batting, Alex Rios caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brandon Inge singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brent Morel. Brandon Inge advances to 2nd, on throwing error by third baseman Brent Morel.

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

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CWS - Top 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Alejandro De Aza out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Brent Morel called out on .

B:3 S:3 O:3
Gordon Beckham out swinging.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre.

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

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

B:3 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre. Magglio Ordonez scores. Delmon Young to 3rd.
2 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre. Delmon Young scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
3 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila out at 2nd. Jhonny Peralta advances to 2nd, on throwing error by second baseman Gordon Beckham.
4 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ryan Raburn lines out to left fielder Juan Pierre.

4 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CWS - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Juan Pierre grounds out sharply, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

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

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to right fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez lines out to right fielder Alejandro De Aza. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Brandon Inge scores. Austin Jackson to 2nd.
5 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (38) on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Austin Jackson scores. Delmon Young scores.
7 - 0

Pitcher Change: Addison Reed replaces Mark Buehrle.

Coaching visit to mound.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Miguel Cabrera scores. Alex Avila to 2nd on the throw.
8 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a fly ball to right fielder Alejandro De Aza. Alex Avila scores.
9 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

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

9 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CWS - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Dayan Viciedo singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Rios singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Dayan Viciedo to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Alejandro De Aza out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brent Morel out on foul tip.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ramon Santiago replaces Magglio Ordonez.

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

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

9 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CWS - Top 6th
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the second baseman.

Defensive switch from second base to right field for Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Gordon Beckham singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alexei Ramirez doubles (25) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Gordon Beckham to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Paul Konerko pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:0 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
Defensive Substitution: Donny Lucy replaces catcher A. J. Pierzynski, batting 4th, playing catcher.

Pitcher Change: Shane Lindsay replaces Addison Reed.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (28) on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (24) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Alejandro De Aza. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila scores.
11 - 0

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

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Jhonny Peralta scores.
12 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to third baseman Brent Morel. Brandon Inge to 3rd. Austin Jackson advances to 2nd, on throwing error by third baseman Brent Morel.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Dirks replaces Delmon Young.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alex Rios. Brandon Inge scores. Austin Jackson scores.
14 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (26) on a fly ball to center field. Andy Dirks scores.
16 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez doubles (32) on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Will Rhymes replaces Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Will Rhymes flies out to right fielder Alejandro De Aza.

16 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CWS - Top 7th
Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Ramon Santiago.

Andy Dirks remains in the game as the left fielder.

Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

Will Rhymes remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Dayan Viciedo grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Rios flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alejandro De Aza grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Don Kelly.

DET - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Brent Lillibridge replaces first baseman Paul Konerko, batting 3rd, playing first base.

Defensive Substitution: Eduardo Escobar replaces second baseman Gordon Beckham, batting 9th, playing second base.

Pitcher Change: Josh Kinney replaces Shane Lindsay.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Brent Lillibridge.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

16 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CWS - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Luis Marte replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Brent Morel out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Eduardo Escobar out swinging.

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

With Alexei Ramirez batting, wild pitch by Luis Marte, Juan Pierre to 2nd.

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

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Will Ohman replaces Josh Kinney.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Ramon Santiago hit by pitch.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks homers (7) on a fly ball to right field. Ramon Santiago scores.
18 - 0

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

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Carlos Guillen replaces Victor Martinez.

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

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Will Rhymes lines out sharply to second baseman Eduardo Escobar.

18 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CWS - Top 9th
Carlos Guillen remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Duane Below replaces Luis Marte.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Brent Lillibridge singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Donny Lucy doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Brent Lillibridge scores.
18 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:0
Dayan Viciedo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Donny Lucy to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Rios out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Donny Lucy scores.
18 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alejandro De Aza reaches on force attempt, fielding error by second baseman Will Rhymes. Dayan Viciedo to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brent Morel flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks. Dayan Viciedo to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Eduardo Escobar grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Don Kelly.