Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Doug Fister pitched seven solid frames and
Austin Jackson hit a two-run home run, as Detroit moved closer to Chicago in
the American League Central standings with a 5-3 victory over the White Sox at
Comerica Park.
Miguel Cabrera also hit a home run for the Tigers, who put an end to a 4-game
slide. The victory moved Detroit within two games of the White Sox, who have
alternated wins and losses over their last eight games.
Fister (9-8) was a stable influence on the mound, giving up just two solo home
runs to DeWayne Wise and Gordon Beckman and two walks with six strikeouts.
Jake Peavy (10-11) took the loss, surrendering three runs on six hits with
nine strikeouts and two walks over 5 2/3 frames.
Wise's solo home run to right in the first gave the home team an early
lead. The White Sox again played long ball in the third as Beckman hooked a
fastball just inside the pole in left for a 2-0 edge.
After watching the White Sox hit a pair of home runs, Detroit joined the party
with two of its own in the fifth. Jackson followed Omar Infante's single with
a two-run homer to left-center field and Cabrera hit his 36th home run to
nearly the same place, a deep drive into the left-center field seats.
The Tigers left the bases loaded in the seventh, but pushed through with a
pair of insurance runs in the eighth. Avisail Garcia was plunked by a pitch
and Jhonny Peralta singled to center. Alex Avila then laced a long single to
right, plating Garcia, and Infante legged out an intended sacrifice for a bunt
hit to load the bases. Andy Dirks' single scored Peralta for a 5-2 game,
but Jesse Crain got Cabrera to bounce into a double play to limit further
damage.
Detroit pitching retired 14 straight until Alexi Ramirez's leadoff single in
the eighth, the White Sox's first hit since Beckman's home run leading off the
third. Beckman followed Ramirez's single with one of his own and a third
straight hit by Alejandro De Aza plated Ramirez for a 5-3 game.
Joaquin Benoit settled down and retired the next three batters to retain the
two-run lead.
Chicago put its leadoff batter on base in the ninth, as Alex Rios legged out
an infield single against Jose Valverde, but the closer cruised from there to
pick up his 29th save of the season.
Game Notes
Jackson raised his batting average to .305 and hit his 14th home run of the
season ... White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is 0-for-7 since returning
from a 3-game absence for the birth of his son ... Peavy has lost twice to
Detroit since Aug. 31.
The Sports Network