Tigers Plate More Than One Run

White Sox 1, Tigers 5 (box)

Shocking but true.  The Tigers pounded out five runs in the opener of a day-night double header with the White Sox today, en route to a 5-1 win.  The victory moves Detroit one game ahead of the Sox for the top spot in the Central.

Placido Polanco was the hitting star today with three hits and two RBI.  Detroit came into the contest last in the league in doubles, but three of their 10 hits today went for two bases.  Miguel Cabrera, Ryan Raburn and Gerald Laird provided those.

Carlos Guillen made his first appearence since May as the DH.  We went 1-4 while batting fifth.  He is expected to DH again in the nightcap.

Justin Verlander continued his recent success against the foes from the south side.  he walked four and allowed six hits, but just one unearned run in the complete game effort.

When the Sox loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth, it would have been easy to pull Verlander at that point.  Kudos to Jim Leyland for sticking with his guy and allowing Verlander to finish this game.  He got Gordon Beckham to groud into a 1-2-3 double play, then got a ground out from DeWayne Wise to end the threat and the game.  It was nice to see someone else do the squandering for a change.

Now after a few hours off, these two teams will once again do battle.  Eddie Bonine will be recalled between games and make the start for Detroit opposing Bartolo Colon.  Freddie Dolsi will be optioned to Toledo to make room for Bonine on the roster.