GDT: 9/12/11 - DET (84-62) AT CWS (73-72) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers try to keep cutting magic number in Chicago

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 9/11/2011 5:51 PM ET

After his start Friday, Detroit pitcher Brad Penny admitted, "The sooner we clinch this thing, the better."

The Tigers can continue to take steps toward what many seem to believe is their inevitable clinching of the American League Central title with a three-game series against the second-place White Sox.

The Tigers, winners of nine straight -- their longest streak since May of their World Series championship year of 1984 -- and 19 of their last 23, come to Chicago with their magic number at seven. With each victory against the White Sox, the Tigers can knock two games off their magic number.

The division crown isn't the only thing the Tigers are fighting for, however. After the AL Central was billed by many as a second-tier division for much of the season, as of Sunday afternoon, the first-place Tigers suddenly sat only 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees for home-field advantage and the best record in the AL.

Despite sweeping the White Sox over Labor Day weekend, Detroit's trip to Chicago doesn't figure to be a cakewalk. The White Sox are 6-2 in their last eight games, and manager Ozzie Guillen said his club is going to take a winning approach into the series.

"Same way. I'm not going to give back. We have to go strong," Guillen said. "I hope they don't approach us the same way they did out there. Guys have to go out there and play. We have to go there and finish strong, but I don't see anything different. I hope we pitch better."

Starting for the White Sox on Monday is John Danks, who has dropped his last two starts, one of which came against the Tigers on Sept. 2, when he allowed eight runs in 4 2/3 innings. He'll be opposed by Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello, who has allowed one run in two of his last three starts, but is 1-4 with a 7.46 ERA in six career starts against the White Sox.

Monday's game, as well as the entire series, likely will come down to which team gets on top first. Tigers relievers come into Monday's series opener with a 2.20 ERA and 103 strikeouts in their last 36 games, while the Sox 'pen entered Sunday with a 4-0, a 0.99 ERA and 46 strikeouts over the previous nine games at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tigers: Valverde sets mark
Closer Jose Valverde recorded his 43rd save of the season Sunday against the Twins, setting a new franchise mark for most saves in a single season. Valverde broke Todd Jones' record of 42 set in 2000.

• Center fielder Austin Jackson needs one more home run to become the 18th Tigers player to record double-digit totals in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases.

White Sox: Konerko nearing milestone
First baseman Paul Konerko needs one home run for his seventh 30-homer season and two RBIs for his sixth 100-RBI season. When he accomplishes the feat, he'll pass current Tigers player Magglio Ordonez for the second-most 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons in franchise history, trailing only Frank Thomas, who did so eight times: 1991, 1993-97, 2000 and '03.

• Sergio Santos needs one save to become the eighth Chicago closer to record 30 saves in a season.

Worth noting
• Ordonez is hitting .400 (16-for-32) with two homers and four doubles in his career against Danks.

• Chicago's Dayan Viciedo has a seven-game hitting streak in which he's batting .321.

• The Tigers are hitting .325 with runners in scoring position since Aug. 11.

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (13-8, 4.87 ERA)

Porcello showed the efficient, sinkerballing form the Tigers want to see from him down the stretch, tossing 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball over just 75 pitches Tuesday against the Indians. He induced 13 ground-ball outs.


White Sox: LHP John Danks (6-11, 4.09 ERA)

Aside from a rough third inning, Danks was solid in his outing against the Twins. A one-out walk cost the left-hander, though, as the Twins plated four runs in the inning. Danks gave up five runs (four earned) over six innings.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Twins 2-1 yesterday, the club’s ninth straight win. Doug Fister (8-13) blanked Minnesota over seven innings for the win, while Jose Valverde posted his 43rd save of the season. Delmon Young led the Tigers with two hits and an RBI. The Tigers begin a nine-game road trip this evening with the first game of a three-game series at Chicago. The trip continues with a four-game series at Oakland, before concluding with a two-game stop in Kansas City.

WINS IN NINE STRAIGHT: The Tigers defeated the Twins 2-1 yesterday afternoon to extend the club’s current winning streak to nine games. It marks the longest winning streak by the Tigers since the club also won nine consecutive games May 14-24, 1984. The last Tigers club with a winning streak longer than nine games was the 1968 team, which posted an 11-game winning streak September 9-21, 1968.

PICKING UP WINS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Chicago having won 19 of the club’s last 23 games dating back to August 19, an .826 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all major league clubs with an .826 winning percentage during that stretch.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight’s game at Chicago marks the 17th game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 19 straight games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 16 games of the season, eight are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 43-21 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .672 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .672 winning percentage against the division.

RECENT ROAD SUCCESS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Chicago having won 21 of the club’s last 31 games on the road dating back to July 6. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with a .677 winning percentage on the road during that stretch.

WINNING AGAINST THE WHITE SOX: The Tigers enter tonight’s game against Chicago having won 18 of the team’s last 24 games over the White Sox dating back to August 14, 2010. Detroit is hitting .309 (268x867) with 150 runs scored, 43 doubles, seven triples and 30 home runs over the 24-game stretch versus Chicago. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.21 ERA (216.0IP/77ER) during the stretch against the White Sox.

JACKSON STREAKING AGAINST THE SOX: Austin Jackson enters tonight’s game having hit safely in each of his last 15 games against the White Sox. He is hitting .403 (29x72) with four doubles, three triples, three home runs and nine RBI during the 15-game streak.

MAGGLIO MASHES AGAINST DANKS: Magglio Ordonez enters tonight’s game against Chicago hitting .500 (16x32) during his career against John Danks. Ordonez is tops among all active major league players with at least 20 plate appearances versus Danks with a .500 batting average against him, while he is second with an .813 slugging percentage.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 43rd consecutive save to begin the season yesterday versus Minnesota. His 43 straight saves converted is the longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. His streak surpasses Guillermo Hernandez who converted 32 straight save opportunities April 6-September 23, 1984.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 2.11 ERA (110.2IP/26ER) and 103 strikeouts over the club’s last 36 games dating back to August 4. During the 36-game stretch, club relievers have limited opponents to a .201 batting average (78x389).

PAPA GRANDE SETS CLUB SAVES RECORD: Jose Valverde recorded his 43rd save of the season on yesterday versus Minnesota, surpassing Todd Jones for the team’s single-season record. Jones recorded 42 saves for the Tigers during the 2000 season.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters tonight’s game with a 3-0 record, 1.50 ERA (42.0IP/7ER), two saves and 43 strikeouts over his last 45 outings dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .177 batting average (25x141) during the stretch.

JACKSON CLOSING IN ON A QUADRUPLE DOUBLE: Austin Jackson legged out his 10th and 11th triples of the season on September 3 against Chicago and he is now one home run shy of reaching double digits in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases. It would mark the 18th time a Tigers player has posted double-digits totals in those four categories and the first time since Curtis Granderson did so in both 2007 and 2008.

INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• 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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• Tuesday, September 13:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (22-5, 2.44 ERA)) AT
White Sox (RHP Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.35 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD, MLBN / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, September 14:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (10-10, 5.19 ERA)) AT
White Sox (RHP Dylan Axelrod (0-0, 0.00 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, September 15:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (14-8, 4.27 ERA)) AT
Athletics (RHP Brandon McCarthy (8-8, 3.39 ERA)),
10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUP:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Delmon Young, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Brandon Inge, 3B

P: Rick Porcello

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out softly to right fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Brent Morel to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:0
Juan Pierre doubles (17) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Alexei Ramirez out swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Paul Konerko walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski walks. Juan Pierre to 3rd. Paul Konerko to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Dayan Viciedo grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Juan Pierre scores. Paul Konerko to 3rd. A. Pierzynski to 2nd.
CWS 1 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Rios flies out softly to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

CWS 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:3 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Dayan Viciedo, deflected by second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta homers (19) on a fly ball to left center field. Victor Martinez scores.
2 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ryan Raburn homers (13) on a fly ball to left field.
3 - 1

B:0 S:2 O:1
Brandon Inge doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio
Ordonez grounds into double play, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second
baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Austin Jackson out
at 2nd.

CWS - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:1 O:0
Alejandro De Aza walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brent Morel grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alejandro De Aza to 2nd.

With Gordon Beckham batting, wild pitch by Rick Porcello, Alejandro De Aza to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Gordon Beckham grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alejandro De Aza scores.
3 - 2

B:1 S:1 O:3
Juan Pierre grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Delmon Young singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera hits a ground-rule double (40) on a fly ball to right field. Delmon Young to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out on foul tip.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Delmon Young scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
4 - 2

B:0 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre. Miguel Cabrera scores.
5 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

CWS - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

5 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

With Delmon Young batting, wild pitch by John Danks, Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Delmon Young singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Austin Jackson scores.
6 - 2

B:2 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham in foul territory.

CWS - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Dayan Viciedo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex
Rios grounds into double play, third baseman Brandon Inge to second
baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Dayan Viciedo out
at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Alejandro De Aza flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

6 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (31) on a soft line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn doubles (19) on a fly ball to right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Alex Avila scores. Ryan Raburn advances to 3rd, on missed catch error by center fielder Alejandro De Aza.
7 - 2

With Brandon Inge batting, wild pitch by John Danks, Ryan Raburn scores.
8 - 2

B:3 S:3 O:2
Brandon Inge out swinging.

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

CWS - Bot 5th
B:3 S:1 O:1
Brent Morel pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Gordon Beckham out swinging.

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

With Alexei Ramirez batting, wild pitch by Rick Porcello, Juan Pierre to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

8 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitcher Change: Josh Kinney replaces John Danks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ramon Santiago replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Delmon Young singles on a soft ground ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre. Ramon Santiago scores. Delmon Young to 2nd.
9 - 2

B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Delmon Young scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd on the throw.
10 - 2

B:2 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
11 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Jhonny
Peralta grounds into double play, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second
baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre. Victor Martinez scores.
12 - 2

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to first baseman Paul Konerko, deflected by pitcher Josh Kinney. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson hit by pitch. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago doubles (11) on a ground ball to right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Ryan Raburn scores. Brandon Inge scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.
14 - 2

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Delmon Young.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

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

Don Kelly remains in the game as the left fielder.

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

On-field Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Paul Konerko grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:0 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Dayan
Viciedo grounds into double play, pitcher Rick Porcello to shortstop
Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. A. Pierzynski out at
2nd.

14 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Eduardo Escobar replaces shortstop Alexei Ramirez, batting 2nd, playing shortstop.

Defensive Substitution: Tyler Flowers replaces first baseman Paul Konerko, batting 3rd, playing first base.

Pitcher Change: Shane Lindsay replaces Josh Kinney.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Tyler Flowers.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, first baseman Tyler Flowers to second baseman Gordon Beckham to pitcher Shane Lindsay. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, pitcher Shane Lindsay to shortstop Eduardo Escobar to first baseman Tyler Flowers.

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

Defensive Substitution: Danny Worth replaces shortstop Jhonny Peralta, batting 7th, playing second base.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Carlos Quentin replaces Alex Rios.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Carlos Quentin grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brent Morel homers (6) on a fly ball to center field.
14 - 3

B:2 S:0 O:2
Gordon Beckham doubles (17) on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Juan Pierre lines out softly to left fielder Don Kelly.

14 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Carlos Quentin remains in the game as the designated hitter.

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

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to right fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Alejandro De Aza. Brandon Inge to 2nd.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Andy Dirks replaces Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago flies out softly to right fielder Dayan Viciedo.

With Don Kelly batting, wild pitch by Shane Lindsay, Brandon Inge to 3rd. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

CWS - Bot 8th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the center fielder.

Defensive Substitution: Carlos Guillen replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Eduardo Escobar singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Tyler Flowers flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:2 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out to first baseman Carlos Guillen. Eduardo Escobar to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Daniel Schlereth.

With Dayan Viciedo batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Eduardo Escobar to 3rd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Dayan Viciedo walks.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Carlos Quentin out swinging.

14 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Will Rhymes replaces Victor Martinez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Will Rhymes grounds out, shortstop Eduardo Escobar to first baseman Tyler Flowers.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Danny Worth grounds into a force out, shortstop Eduardo Escobar to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

CWS - Bot 9th
Will Rhymes remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Defensive Substitution: Omir Santos replaces catcher Alex Avila, batting 6th, playing catcher.

Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alejandro De Aza flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brent Morel homers (7) on a fly ball to center field.
14 - 4

B:2 S:2 O:2
Gordon Beckham grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Juan Pierre flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.