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White Sox stage comeback against suspect Tigers' bullpen

Jul 25, 2007 - 4:53 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- If the Detroit Tigers thought they could make it through the rest of the season with their current bullpen, Tuesday night may have convinced them otherwise.

Three Tigers relievers combined to allow six runs in four innings, handing the Chicago White Sox an 8-7 victory and a sweep of Tuesday's doubleheader.

Scott Podsednik drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning for the White Sox, who snapped a four-game skid with the doubleheader sweep.

"It was a great comeback, a great team effort," Podsednik said. "We caught a couple of breaks. Hopefully we can get some momentum and get some things going."

Rookie Virgil Vasquez started for Detroit and pitched five-plus strong innings, leaving with a 7-2 lead and in position to earn his first major league win.

Vasquez was recalled from Class AAA Toledo prior to the game to make only his second major league start. The 25-year-old held the White Sox to two runs and four hits while striking out four and walking a pair.

"We didn't get the job done, it's that simple," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We let the game get away because we didn't pitch well out of the bullpen. Virgil Vasquez did fine. We should have won the game for him, and we didn't."

Macay McBride allowed a run and two hits in one-third of an inning and Chad Durbin surrendered three runs in 1 2/3, leaving Chicago with a manageable 7-6 deficit against Zach Miner in the eighth.

The 25-year-old yielded a leadoff double to Rob Mackowiak and retired Josh Fields on a groundout, sending Mackowiak to third. Podsednik then singled to center, tying the score at 7-7.

After Podsednik stole second, Miner issued a walk to Juan Uribe before inducing a groundout from A.J. Pierzynski that skipped past Tigers shortstop Carlos Guillen and into center field, sending Podsednik around for what proved to be the winning run.

"To win two games against that team is pretty tough," Pierzynski said. "In the second game, it looked like we were out of it, but we kept going and we gave ourselves a chance."

Chicago closer Bobby Jenks came on with none out and a runner on first in the ninth and retired all three batters he faced to notch his second save of the day and 28th of the season.

Jim Thome clubbed a three-run homer and Mackowiak drove in a pair during the White Sox's comeback, which saw five pitchers combine for 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, with Matt Thornton (3-3) earning the win with one-third of an inning.

"We fought back, and it showed the heart of our team," Mackowiak said. "It's been frustrating all year. We've battled and come up short throughout the season, (but) we have to build upon what's now."

Chicago righthander Gavin Floyd, who was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte prior to the game, was chased after 4 2/3 innings, surrendering seven runs - five earned - and 11 hits, while issuing five walks. It was the 22nd career start for the 24-year-old.

"I think I'm much more of a dominant pitcher," Floyd said. "I've just got to relax and trust in myself."