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Pierzynski helps White Sox win third straight game

Aug 5, 2007 - 3:28 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- A.J. Pierzynski homered and drove in two runs as the Chicago White Sox won their third straight game, a 7-5 victory over the slumping Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

With the loss, Detroit (61-48) has dropped 12 of its last 16 games to remain one-half game behind Cleveland (62-48) for first place in the American League Central.

Chicago wasted no time building a lead against starter Jeremy Bonderman (10-4). With runners on second and third, Pierzynski hit a two-out, RBI single to right. Red-hot Jermaine Dye followed with a two-run double and scored on Scott Podsednik's run-scoring single, capping a stellar four-run first-inning.

In the third, the White Sox continued to tag Bonderman as Jim Thome stroked his 18th homer. One out later, Pierzynski added a solo blast of his own, extending the lead to 6-2.

It was the 30-year-old Pierznyski's ninth homer of the season and first since May 20 against the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

"I'm sure happy that I got it. It's been a long time," Pierznyski said. "I told some of my teammates that my only goal was to hit a homer (Saturday).

White Sox starter Javier Vazquez (9-6) allowed three runs and six hits with five strikeouts in seven innings to win his six start in eight tries. It also marked the second time Vazquez outdueled Bonderman, having also picked up the win in their first matchup on July 24 at U.S. Cellular Field.

"It's great when the guys score early for you," Vazquez said. "It makes it a lot easier for a starting pitcher. I didn't have my best stuff. I battled through the first three innings and then finally found my groove."

Chicago's bullpen gave up two runs in the eighth to cut its lead to 7-5. But All-Star closer Bobby Jenks retired three straight in the ninth for his 31st save.

"When you play this team (Tigers), you need to bring your A game," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. They have so many ways to beat you. It would be great to sweep but our goal is always to win the series."

Bonderman was hammered for six runs and 10 hits in seven frames to remain winless in four straight starts. The 24-year-old has struggled in his attempt to join teammate Justin Verlander with 11 wins this season.

"When you're struggling, a four-run first inning is not good tonic," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We're just not doing what it takes to win games."

The hard-throwing righthander has surrendered an eye-popping 21 earned runs through his last 16 1/3 innings - a span of three starts.

"I need to pick it up and give this team a chance to win," Bonderman said. "In my last three starts, I haven't been doing it. We need to right the ship or it's not going to be pretty. If we want to make the playoffs, we have to pick it up."

Craig Monroe and Brandon Inge both delivered run-scoring singles in the second inning and All-Star Placido Polanco registered Detroit's first home run in six games in the third.

With several key players already sidelined, including slugger Gary Sheffield (shoulder), the Tigers placed lefthander Andrew Miller on the 15-day disabled list earlier Saturday with a hamstring injury.