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White Sox-Tigers Preview

Jul 24, 2009 - 3:12 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (50-45) at Detroit (49-44), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Thanks to Mark Buehrle, the Chicago White Sox have plenty of momentum heading into a weekend series with the Detroit Tigers.

A day after Buehrle pitched the majors' 18th perfect game to move the White Sox into a tie with the Tigers for first place in the AL Central, the clubs open a four-game series with a split doubleheader Friday.

Chicago (50-45) is coming off a 5-0 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday in which Buehrle struck out six for his second career no-hitter. He was helped by center fielder DeWayne Wise, who robbed Gabe Kapler of a potential home run in the ninth with a catch he initially bobbled before holding on.

"I don't know if it's really sunk in yet. We have a short flight to Detroit. I'm sure it will be a little hectic later," Buehrle said.

The White Sox are 22-12 since the Tigers (49-44) took three of five in a set between the clubs at U.S. Cellular Field in early June, erasing a 5 1/2-game deficit.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have been slumping, losing five of six. They dropped the final two games of a three-game series with Seattle, scoring one run in each loss after a 9-7 victory Tuesday. Detroit's last four losses have been by 2-1 scores, including Thursday's.

"If you score one run a game, you aren't going to win," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I don't care how good your pitching is. You can have three Koufaxes and three Drysdales, you're still not going to win."

Leyland will hand the ball to Justin Verlander (10-5, 3.34 ERA) to open the twinbill.

Verlander gave up two runs in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees last Sunday as he was denied a third consecutive victory. He is 3-9 with a 5.44 ERA against the White Sox, but struck out nine while throwing a six-hitter in a 2-1 victory June 10 in his most recent outing against them.

Jose Contreras (4-8, 4.75) will counter for Chicago as he tries to bounce back from one of his worst outings since being recalled from the minors.

Contreras lasted only 4 1-3 innings against Baltimore on Sunday, allowing five runs while issuing four walks in a 10-2 loss. The right-hander was 4-2 with a 2.06 ERA in his previous six outings.

Contreras has split two starts against Detroit this season and limited the Tigers to one hit in eight scoreless innings of a 2-1 victory on June 8.

Bartolo Colon (3-6, 4.23) will start the second game of the doubleheader for the White Sox, making his first start since June 7. He was placed on the disabled list with left knee inflammation after he gave up six runs and allowed four homers in five innings of a loss to Cleveland last month.

The right-hander has lost his last six decisions against the Tigers since a win in 2003. He has not faced them since 2007 while with the Angels.

Eddie Bonine (0-0, 9.00) will make his first start of the season and fifth appearance in 2009 for Detroit.

The right-hander has pitched eight innings of relief for the Tigers in April, including 2 2-3 innings against Chicago on April 13. He allowed two runs and five hits in that game - his only time facing the White Sox.

The Tigers and White Sox have split their eight meetings, with each winning once at Detroit in April.