Contending Tigers Creep Closer To White Sox With 7-4 Win
DETROIT (AP) — Delmon Young hit a tiebreaking, three-run double in the seventh inning and the Detroit Tigers beat Chicago 7-4 Friday night, pulling within two games of the AL Central-leading White Sox.
Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta homered as the Tigers took the opener of the three-game series.
Octavio Dotel (5-2) pitched 1 2-3 innings of scoreless relief. Joaquin Benoit struck out the side in the eighth inning and Jose Valverde closed for his 27th save in 31 chances.
Jake Peavy (9-10) gave up six runs and nine hits over six innings.
Cabrera hit his 33rd homer, a two-run shot in the first inning. He went 3 for 4 on a sore right ankle that didn't affect him at the plate, but made two errors at third base.
Peralta's solo home run gave the Tigers a 4-3 lead in the fourth. Chicago tied it in the sixth without a hit when Dewayne Wise walked, stole second, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on A.J. Pierzynski's sacrifice fly.
Pierzynski hit his 24th homer, a solo shot in the second.
Andy Dirks drew a leadoff walk off Peavy in the pivotal seventh inning, Cabrera singled and Prince Fielder was hit on the right shoulder by reliever Matt Thornton to load the bases. With a fired-up crowd buzzing, Young hit a double into the left-center gap to clear the bases.
Tigers starter Doug Fister gave up three runs — two earned — on four hits and four walks over five innings.
Drew Smyly gave up one run on two walks while getting one out in the sixth, pitching in relief for the first time after the rookie made 16 starts this season.
Detroit has won 23 of its last 29 games at home. The White Sox have lost seven of their last nine road games.
NOTES: The Tigers traded OF Jeff Baker to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named no later than Sept. 30 to open up a spot for minor leaguer Avisail Garcia, who made his major league debut as a defensive replacement in right field in the eighth. ... Peavy gave up four walks — one intentional — and struck out four as his winless streak stretched to five games.
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