GDT: 9/19/10 - DET (74-74) AT CWS (79-69) - 8:05 p.m. ET

White Sox keeping hope alive against Tigers

By John Barone / MLB.com

The White Sox boast a Major League-best 55-36 record since June 9, but that distinction alone won't earn them a postseason berth.

To claim their second American League Central title in three years, they must track down the sizzling Twins, who have pushed the South Siders to the brink of an early offseason.

Chicago enters Sunday night's series finale against Detroit at U.S. Cellular Field, which will play host to a pitching matchup between Jeremy Bonderman and John Danks, 10 games back of Minnesota and 10 behind AL Wild Card leader Tampa Bay.

And yet White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen refuses to wave the proverbial white flag.

"I don't know what they put next to your name to mean you are out, but only then will I count myself out," Guillen said. "Maybe I sound silly or crazy."

A season-high five consecutive losses and nine defeats in their past 11 games certainly haven't helped the White Sox cause. Neither has a 1-7 record vs. a Tigers club that's outscored them by a 55-25 margin in eight meetings since Aug. 14.

If Chicago is to grace the win column Sunday, it'll likely take a strong showing from Danks. The 25-year-old lefty takes the mound following a string of subpar performances by White Sox starters, who enter Sunday's action 0-8 with a 6.84 ERA and a .354 average against across their past 12 outings.

For his part, Danks owns a 3.15 ERA in three starts this month, each of which has spanned at least six innings.

Bonderman's September has been similarly solid, as his 3.54 ERA through three appearances would suggest -- though the Rangers on Tuesday tagged the 27-year-old righty for four runs on six hits and four walks over five innings.

"Bondo was out there on pure determination," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He really battled his tail off and gave us a shot, but he didn't have much."

Tigers: Improvement in their own division
Detroit has won 15 of its past 21 games against AL Central opponents after beginning the season with a 17-24 mark opposite division foes.

... Center fielder Austin Jackson needs three runs and one hit to become the ninth Major Leaguer since 1901 to amass 100 runs, 170 hits, 30 doubles, 10 triples and 20 stolen bases in his rookie campaign.

... Tigers starters have posted 19 quality starts in 27 contests dating back to Aug. 20, going 14-3 with a 2.99 ERA during that stretch.

White Sox: Rios nearing center-field mark
Alex Rios' 21 home runs mark the second-highest single-season total by a Chicago center fielder, behind Aaron Rowand's 23-homer campaign of 2004.

... Twelve of designated hitter Manny Ramirez's 13 hits with the White Sox have been singles.

... Left fielder Juan Pierre needs one stolen base to tie Patsy Donovan for 30th place on baseball's all-time list with 518.

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

... Bonderman is 2-6 with a 5.90 ERA in nine starts at U.S. Cellular Field.

... Danks is 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA across two appearances vs. Detroit in 2010.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (8-9, 5.04 ERA)
Bonderman had a tough-luck start Tuesday in Texas as a video replay on a home run didn't go his way. He had a 4-1 lead before David Murphy's drive down the right-field line was ruled a homer and confirmed by replay though it appeared to be foul.

WHITE SOX: LHP John Danks (13-11, 3.60 ERA)
The southpaw allowed four runs over seven innings during a 9-3 loss to the Twins, dropping him to 1-3 with a 5.55 ERA over his last four starts. Danks has allowed seven homers in his last six starts, after allowing one in his previous eight.




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)


Out for Season



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Monday, September 20,
TIGERS (RHP Rick Porcello (9-11, 5.10 ERA)) VS ROYALS (RHP Zack Greinke (9-12, 3.90 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Tuesday, September 21,
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (4-6, 4.27 ERA)) VS ROYALS (LHP Bruce Chen (10-7, 4.70 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Wednesday, September 22,
TIGERS (RHP Max Scherzer (11-10, 3.54 ERA)) VS ROYALS (RHP Kyle Davies (8-10, 5.08 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .300
Sizemore, 2B .223
Raburn, LF .274
Cabrera, M, 1B .329
Peralta, J, SS .252
Wells, C, RF .356
Inge, 3B .252
Boesch, DH .265
Laird, C .202
Totals .269

Chi White Sox AVG
Pierre, LF .271
Ramirez, A, SS .279
Rios, CF .285
Konerko, 1B .321
Pierzynski, C .269
Quentin, RF .236
Teahen, DH .260
Morel, 3B .250
Lillibridge, 2B .279
Totals .268