Chicago White Sox right fielder Alex Rios (51) is greeted by first baseman Paul Konerko (14) and catcher A.J. Pierzynski (12) after hitting a three-run homer against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. (David Banks-US PRESSWIRE)
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski hit back-to-back
homers as part of a four-run sixth inning as the Chicago White Sox downed the
Detroit Tigers, 6-1, in the opener of a crucial four-game set.
Gordon Beckham added a two-run shot for Chicago, which leads the Tigers by
three games in the AL Central.
Jose Quintana (6-4) fanned seven and surrendered a run on seven hits and two
walks to pick up the win.
Rick Porcello (9-12) allowed four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and a
walk over 5 1/3 frames for the Tigers, who have lost four straight contests.
Porcello, who had allowed just two hits over his first five frames, was
touched for four runs in the sixth.
DeWayne Wise reached with one out on Omar Infante's fielding error and after
Paul Konerko singled to left field, Rios laced a three-run rocket into the
seats in left field. Pierzynski followed with a blast to dead center field for
a 4-1 White Sox advantage.
Chicago tacked on two runs in the eighth.
Alexei Ramirez poked a two-out single to right field and stole second before
Beckham cracked a two-run homer to left field for a 6-1 spread.
Detroit struck first with a run in the second. Delmon Young hit a one-out
single to left field, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Jhonny
Peralta's base hit to left field.
Game Notes
Detroit was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, while Chicago finished
2-for-16 ... The White Sox have won 11 of their last 14 home tilts ... Kevin
Youkilis rejoined the White Sox after missing the last three games due to the
birth of his son.
The Sports Network