Game 16

The White Sox are in town this weekend for a three game set. In fact 5 of the next 7 games are against the Sox. In a ridiculous 4 game road trip, the Tigers head to Anaheim to play the Angels for two games before swinging by Chicago for another two games, before returning for the Twins at home next weekend. This series will be important for both teams to determine were they are and where they need to be. You don't need Joe Morgan to tell you that division games are important, but against Chicago there might be an added urgency to win. In the past few years The Sox have dominated, winning 35 of the 56 meetings since 2004. A good showing against the White Sox might be the start on something big. One good sign, possibly, is that six of the Sox seven losses are to AL Central opponents. As for the White Sox story this year, it has been similar to the Tigers: great pitching, not enough hitting. The Sox are 12th in the AL in runs scored, and are 3rd in the AL in runs allowed. Jim Thome is coming off a hot week (batting .500 with 3 HRs), and is a .300 hitter is his career against the Tigers; and the White Sox seem to think Mark Buerhle's no hitter earlier in the week is a springboard to better baseball for the team. This might not bode well for struggling Chad Durbin, who takes the mound tonight for the Tigers. If he gets roughed up tonight, at least the Tigers have the always tough Nate Robertson pitching tomorrow, and Justin Verlander to go on Sunday.

Line-ups:
Detroit (9-6)
I Rodriguez C
P Polanco 2B
G Sheffield DH
M Ordonez RF
C Guillen SS
C Monroe LF
M Thames 1B
O Infante CF
B Inge 3B


Chicago (7-7)
D Erstad CF
T Iguchi 2B
J Thome DH
P Konerko 1B
J Dye RF
A Pierzynski C
J Crede 3B
R Mackowiak LF
J Uribe SS

Pitchers:
Tigers - Chad Durbin RHP (0-1, 12.46 ERA)
White Sox - John Danks LHP (0-2, 3.97 ERA)

Post-game:

Tigers 5 White Sox 6

Chad Durbin did what he needed to do, but it still wasn't enough as the White Sox benefited from having the bases loaded with no outs in the 6th and brought the go ahead runs in. Bobby Seay and new addition from Toledo, Aquaman Aqualung Aquilino Lopez did very well in relief. The Tigers outhit the Sox, but just couldn't get the runners home. This game I expected a loss, so I;m not disappointed. It just puts the pressure on the Tiger bats to have a really good game tomorrow.

Tiger Hero:
Carlos Guillen. 2 for 4, 2 RBIs and a stolen base. Not a bad night's work

Tiger Zero:
Gary Sheffield. Sorry, the weather's warm, you're a Hall of Famer, swing the bat.

Tigers Record:
W - L
9 - 7