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Tigers-White Sox Preview

Jun 9, 2009 - 5:30 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Detroit (30-25) at Chicago (26-30), 8:11 p.m. EDT

With his team struggling at the plate, Detroit manager Jim Leyland followed the lead of Chicago counterpart Ozzie Guillen at motivating his players.

After splitting a doubleheader, the Tigers and White Sox continue their five-game series in Chicago on Tuesday.

Detroit (31-26) opened this series with a 5-4 win Monday afternoon, but then managed just one hit over eight innings against Jose Contreras in a 6-1 loss in the nightcap. The defeat snapped a three-game winning streak, was the third time in five contests the Tigers were held to two or fewer runs and left Leyland frustrated with his team's lack of offense.

"We didn't do anything to challenge (Contreras) at all," he said. "We had terrible at-bats all night long. Terrible. Sickening at-bats if you want to know the truth."

Detroit has scored 27 runs and hit .222 over its last eight games. Miguel Cabrera was 0 for 7 in the twinbill and is 4 for 29 (.138) in his last 10 games.

While Leyland has the night to stew, Guillen got his point across following the afternoon loss, which dropped Chicago (27-31) to 2-6 on its 12-game homestand. The White Sox committed three errors and were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. They had scored 21 runs, were shut out three times and hitting .200 in the eight games before regrouping Monday night.

"If this was the 1980s, (none) of these guys would be in the big leagues right now, because if you hit .210-.230 and you can't execute, I don't think you should be out here," Guillen said.

"When you can't bunt, hit-and-run, squeeze and move the guy over, you better hit 40 home runs and drive in 140."

The White Sox responded to Guillen's harsh words with 10 hits - three each by Alexei Ramirez and Jermaine Dye - in the victory, and Jim Thome had a two-run homer. Dye was a combined 5 for 8 Monday and is hitting 10 for 20 with two homers, two doubles and four RBIs in five games this season against the Tigers.

Chicago will try to win back-to-back games for the first time during this homestand as they hand the ball to Mark Buehrle (6-2, 2.91 ERA), who took a perfect game into the seventh against Detroit on May 7.

Buehrle has won his last three decisions against Detroit and is 14-8 with a 2.86 ERA lifetime.

The left-hander suffered his first loss in four starts against Oakland on Thursday, allowing four runs and five hits in eight innings of a 7-0 loss.

Dontrelle Willis (1-3, 6.84) will counter for Detroit, trying to end a personal three-start losing streak. The left-hander struggled with his control Thursday, walking a season-high five and allowing five runs over 2 1-3 innings in a 6-3 defeat to Boston despite not giving up a hit.

"I threw a couple good pitches and I didn't get the calls, and I let myself get flustered," Willis said. "It was just mental."

Willis has no record and a 12.00 ERA in three lifetime starts against the White Sox, walking 12 in just six innings. He also hyperextended his right knee in his most recent start against them on April 11, 2008, that caused him to miss a month.

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