GDT: 7/25/09 - DET (51-44) VS CWS (50-47) - 4:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Brandon Inge figured he was going to have to play out the season with nagging pain in his patella tendons. He got a little break from it simply by taking off his knee brace.

It hasn't exactly made him pain-free, but by taking some of the compression off his left knee, Inge said he felt a lot less pressure on his patella, where wear and tear has created microtears that have left him in sometimes excruciating pain. Without the brace, Inge was able to not only play both games of Friday's doubleheader sweep, but he also expects to play in Saturday's game as the Tigers try to guarantee a series victory and stretch their AL Central lead back to three games before a FOX regional broadcast audience.

Chris Rose and Mark Grace will have the call on this division clash, which will be broadcast on FOX 2 in Detroit and other stations around the Midwest. It's a big game in a big series that will help determine who has the momentum going into the pennant race portion of the season. Another Tigers victory would restore a sense of command regardless of what happens in the series finale Sunday night.

A healthier Inge makes a difference, even if he isn't near 100 percent. It's not that he wouldn't be thinking of playing if the pain was still severe, since he has a high tolerance. But the less discomfort he feels, the better he is.

"Ever since he's taken that off, he actually feels good," manager Jim Leyland said. "I think the thing with him is it's a hit-and-miss thing. If he has to make some certain move once in a while or hits the bag, it might jolt him for a second. But he was pretty positive about how he felt."

In Inge's case, it isn't simply about how he feels at the plate, or how he runs the bases. With his arguably Gold Glove caliber defense, how Inge feels in the field makes a big difference. When the left knee limits Inge, he has to cede a portion of the territory to his left side to the shortstop, whether it's Adam Everett or Ramon Santiago going into the hole. The more plays Inge can make there, the easier it is for him to get an out, since his momentum is carrying him towards first base.

Between pitching and defense, the Tigers held the formidable White Sox offense to four runs over 18 innings in Friday's doubleheader sweep, three of them on home runs. Detroit also turned three double plays over the two games.

With Edwin Jackson taking the mound Saturday, the Tigers have a superb chance to hold down the South Siders again. Jackson's last meeting with the White Sox, however, was the last time he didn't throw a quality start, as Chicago hitters knocked him out after five innings with two runs on five hits and four walks. He'll be looking to avenge that.

Just as important, the Detroit offense will be looking to build off its momentum from Friday and bolster Jackson's run support, currently among the lowest for AL starters, after last Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Yankees.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (7-5, 2.52 ERA)
Jackson's ratio of 6.9 hits per nine innings remains the best among AL starters, helping his streak of five straight quality starts. Despite tossing seven innings of two-run ball against the Bronx Bombers, his five walks didn't help his cause. He walked four batters in five innings in his one start against the White Sox on June 11 at Chicago.

CWS: RHP Gavin Floyd (8-6, 4.40 ERA)
Floyd made three mistakes over seven solid innings during Monday's 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay at U.S. Cellular Field. It just so happened that all three mistakes went for home runs, including Carl Crawford's inside-the-park shot. But Floyd did not give up another hit on the night, striking out seven and walking two. Floyd has a 6-2 record with a 2.41 ERA over his past 11 starts and has a 4-1 mark with a 2.09 ERA over his past six starts. Floyd has a 1-0 record against the Tigers this season but has dominated Detroit during his career, posting a perfect 5-0 mark in 11 starts with a 3.55 ERA. He is 3-0 lifetime at Comerica Park.

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Tidbits

... Right-handed reliever Casey Fien, having been brought up from Triple-A Toledo following Friday night's win, will join the Tigers in time for Saturday's game. Fien will wear No. 41 and await his Major League debut.
... Carlos Guillen is expected to be back at designated hitter after playing both ends of Friday's doubleheader.
... Ramon Santiago is 3-for-10 with two homers and four RBIs lifetime off Floyd.
... Placido Polanco is batting .474 (9-for-19) with four runs scored and five RBIs through five games of this homestand.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 9-6, 4.40 ERA) vs. White Sox (Clayton Richard, 3-3, 5.00 ERA), 8:05 p.m. ET ESPN
• Monday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 5-8, 4.82 ERA) at Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 2-1, 2.17 ERA), 8:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Tigers (TBD) at Rangers (TBD), 8:05 p.m. ET

Starting Lineups:

Chi White Sox AVG
Podsednik, CF .304
Ramirez, A, SS .279
Dye, RF .290
Thome, DH .253
Konerko, 1B .289
Pierzynski, C .301
Quentin, LF .236
Getz, 2B .266
Beckham, 3B .286

Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .255
Polanco, 2B .269
Thomas, C, RF .255
Cabrera, M, 1B .326
Guillen, C, DH .216
Raburn, LF .248
Inge, 3B .258
Laird, C .237
Santiago, SS .250

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Scott Podsednik swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Alexei Ramirez pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Jermaine Dye walks.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Jim Thome lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson walks.


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Placido Polanco reaches on fielding error by first baseman Paul Konerko. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 - Clete Thomas out on a sacrifice bunt,
third baseman Gordon Beckham to second baseman Chris Getz. Curtis
Granderson to 3rd. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Jermaine Dye. Curtis Granderson scores. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

DET 1, CWS 0


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Carlos Guillen grounds into a force out,
first baseman Paul Konerko to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Placido Polanco
scores. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd. Carlos Guillen to 1st.

DET 2, CWS 0


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

DET 2, CWS 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
A. J. Pierzynski homers (11) on a line drive to right field.

DET 2, CWS 1

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Quentin grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Chris Getz flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

DET 2, CWS 1 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge called out on strikes.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird pops out to second baseman Chris Getz in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Scott Podsednik.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, first baseman Paul Konerko to pitcher Gavin Floyd.

DET 2, CWS 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gordon Beckham lines out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Scott Podsednik singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Alexei Ramirez pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Jermaine Dye lines out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

DET 2, CWS 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Placido Polanco swinging.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Clete Thomas grounds out softly, pitcher Gavin Floyd to first baseman Paul Konerko.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.

DET 2, CWS 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jim Thome flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a ground ball to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Quentin grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, CWS 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to center fielder Scott Podsednik.


B:3 S:0 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, Ryan Raburn caught stealing 2nd base, catcher A. J. Pierzynski to second baseman Chris Getz.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge walks.



B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

DET 2, CWS 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Chris Getz singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Gordon Beckham doubles (12) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Chris Getz scores.
CWS 2, DET 2




B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Scott Podsednik singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Gordon Beckham scores.
CWS 3, DET 2




B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Scott Podsednik to 2nd.



B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Jermaine Dye swinging.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Edwin Jackson intentionally walks Jim Thome.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Paul Konerko lines out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago called out on strikes.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3 - Placido Polanco grounds into double
play, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Chris Getz to first
baseman Paul Konerko. Curtis Granderson out at 2nd.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Carlos Quentin grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. A. J. Pierzynski out at 2nd.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Chris Getz walks.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Gordon Beckham batting, Chris Getz steals (14) 2nd base.



B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Gordon Beckham walks.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.



B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Scott Podsednik grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to second baseman Chris Getz.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play,
shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman
Paul Konerko. Clete Thomas out at 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jermaine Dye.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Alexei Ramirez lines out to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Jermaine Dye grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jim Thome singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Paul Konerko grounds into a force out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Jim Thome out at 2nd.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird doubles (14) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Carlos Quentin.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Paul Konerko. Gerald Laird to 3rd.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Thornton replaces Gavin Floyd.



B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to left fielder Carlos Quentin.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Edwin Jackson.


B:0 S:2 O:0 -
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a line drive to shortstop Ramon Santiago, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Fu-Te Ni.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Carlos Quentin swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:3 - Chris Getz grounds into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. A. J. Pierzynski out at 2nd.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Scott Podsednik.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Dewayne Wise replaces left fielder Carlos Quentin, batting 7th, playing center field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Octavio Dotel replaces Matt Thornton.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Dewayne Wise.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Paul Konerko.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Jenks replaces Octavio Dotel.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen called out on strikes.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gordon Beckham flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Scott Podsednik singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:2 S:0 O:2 - With Alexei Ramirez batting, Scott
Podsednik caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to second
baseman Placido Polanco.

Laird is better than Pudge at throwing out runners!




B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Alexei Ramirez walks.



B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Jermaine Dye grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CWS 3, DET 2 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn strikes out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Adam Everett replaces Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Marcus Thames replaces Gerald Laird.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Marcus Thames singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jermaine Dye. Adam Everett to 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:2 O:2 - Curtis Granderson doubles (11) on a
ground ball to right fielder Jermaine Dye. Adam Everett scores. Marcus
Thames to 3rd.

CWS 3, DET 3


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS 3, DET 3 after 9 innings

Inning 10
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Adam Everett remains in the game as the shortstop.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Dusty Ryan replaces Marcus Thames, batting 8th, playing catcher.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from shortstop to third base for Ramon Santiago.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Ryan Perry.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Jim Thome swinging.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Paul Konerko walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Josh Fields replaces Paul Konerko.


B:0 S:0 O:3 - A. J. Pierzynski grounds into double
play, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Josh
Fields out at 2nd.

CWS 3, DET 3 after 9.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Fields remains in the game as the first baseman.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: D. J. Carrasco replaces Bobby Jenks.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Clete Thomas singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik.


B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Clete Thomas to 2nd.



B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dewayne Wise. Clete Thomas scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

DET WINS 4, CWS 3

July 25, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Chi White Sox	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0		3	10	1
Detroit	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1		4	12	0

Chi White Sox AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Podsednik, CF-LF 5 0 3 1 0 1 2 .310 Ramirez, A, SS 4 0 0 0 1 0 2 .276 Dye, RF 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .287 Thome, DH 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 .253 Konerko, 1B 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .286 --1-Fields, PR-1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223 Pierzynski, C 5 1 4 1 0 0 1 .309 Quentin, LF 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .230 --Wise, CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .192 Getz, 2B 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .267 Beckham, 3B 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .287 Totals 36 3 10 3 6 5 16 1-Ran for Konerko in the 10th. BATTING 2B: Beckham (12, Jackson, E). HR: Pierzynski (11, 2nd inning off Jackson, E, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Podsednik 3; Thome; Pierzynski 7; Getz; Beckham 2. RBI: Pierzynski (29), Beckham (25), Podsednik (27). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Konerko; Podsednik. GIDP: Quentin; Getz; Pierzynski. Team RISP: 1-for-4. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING SB: Getz (14, 2nd base off Jackson, E/Laird). CS: Podsednik (9, 2nd base by Perry/Laird). FIELDING E: Konerko (2, fielding). DP: 2 (Ramirez, A-Getz-Konerko 2).		Detroit AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 3 1 1 1 2 0 2 .255 Polanco, 2B 5 1 0 0 0 1 3 .265 Thomas, C, RF 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .262 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 0 2 1 1 1 1 .328 Guillen, C, DH 5 0 2 2 0 2 2 .225 Raburn, LF 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .248 Inge, 3B 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 .258 --1-Everett, PR-SS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .251 Laird, C 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .238 --a-Thames, PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272 --Ryan, D, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .158 Santiago, SS-3B 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .250 Totals 36 4 12 4 4 9 14 a-Singled for Laird in the 9th. 1-Ran for Inge in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Laird (14, Floyd, G), Granderson (11, Jenks). TB: Granderson 2; Thomas, C 2; Cabrera, M 2; Guillen, C 2; Raburn; Inge; Laird 2; Thames; Santiago. RBI: Cabrera, M (53), Guillen, C 2 (9), Granderson (46). 2-out RBI: Granderson. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Granderson; Polanco 2. S: Thomas, C. GIDP: Polanco; Cabrera, M. Team RISP: 3-for-8. Team LOB: 10. BASERUNNING CS: Raburn (3, 2nd base by Floyd, G/Pierzynski). FIELDING DP: 3 (Inge-Polanco-Cabrera, M, Polanco-Santiago-Cabrera, M, Everett-Cabrera, M).
Chi White Sox IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Floyd, G 6.2 6 2 1 3 7 0 4.24 Thornton (H, 16) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.83 Dotel (H, 11) 0.2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.11 Jenks (BS, 4) 1.1 3 1 1 0 2 0 4.33 Carrasco, D (L, 3-1) 0.0 3 1 1 0 0 0 3.64		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson, E 7.0 8 3 3 4 3 1 2.59 Ni 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.53 Perry 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3.66 Rodney (W, 1-2) 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.64
Carrasco, D pitched to 3 batters in the 10th. Ni pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. IBB: Thome (by Jackson, E). Pitches-strikes: Floyd, G 112-71, Thornton 6-4, Dotel 19-12, Jenks 23-17, Carrasco, D 11-7, Jackson, E 112-66, Ni 4-4, Perry 20-11, Rodney 11-6. Groundouts-flyouts: Floyd, G 10-2, Thornton 0-1, Dotel 1-1, Jenks 1-1, Carrasco, D 0-0, Jackson, E 9-9, Ni 0-0, Perry 3-1, Rodney 2-0. Batters faced: Floyd, G 27, Thornton 1, Dotel 3, Jenks 7, Carrasco, D 3, Jackson, E 32, Ni 1, Perry 6, Rodney 3. Inherited runners-scored: Thornton 1-0, Jenks 1-0, Perry 1-0. Umpires: HP: Mark Wegner. 1B: Tim Timmons. 2B: Rob Drake. 3B: Brian Gorman. Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 13 mph, R to L. T: 3:14. Att: 41,378. July 25, 2009