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Tigers, White Sox clash in Motor City

Jul 16, 2011 - 3:19 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers will try to keep pace with the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central when they take on the Chicago White Sox this afternoon in the second contest of a three-game set at Comerica Park.

Yesterday, Carlos Quentin drove in three runs, Adam Dunn and Gordon Beckham each knocked in two, and the White Sox claimed an 8-2 win over the Tigers.

Gavin Floyd (7-9) tossed 7 2/3 strong innings for Chicago, which limped into the All-Star break losing five of six and posting a sub-.500 record in the first half for the first time since 2007.

Floyd, who had lost his last four decisions, allowed two runs -- one earned -- on six hits and struck out five.

Justin Verlander (12-5), who posted an 8-1 mark through his last nine starts while pitching to a minuscule 0.75 earned run average heading into the break, did not start the second half on a good note. He was roughed up for four earned runs on seven hits over six innings.

Miguel Cabrera left the All-Star Game with mild soreness in his right side but appeared to be fine as he reached 1,500-hit milestone on Friday. He got there with a 2-for-3 performance, including a two-run homer, for Detroit, which won four of five heading into the break and is a game behind Cleveland in the division standings.

Despite the loss the Tigers are 11-2 against the Pales Hoes over the last 13 matchups at Comerica Park.

Before the break Max Scherzer was able to snap a three-game winless skid with a victory over Kansas City. Now the hard-throwing right-hander will look to continue that success against Chicago.

In the victory over the Royals, Scherzer held the divisional foe to just one run in 6 2/3 innings. He did not walk a batter, but finished with just two strike outs.

One of Scherzer's best starts this season came against the White Sox, as the right-hander tossed eight scoreless innings against the division rival. Scherzer scattered four hits in the win, and struck out seven batters.

Scherzer has performed well in five career outings against Chicago, as the young flamethrower has accumulated a 2-1 ledger with an equally impressive 2.63 earned run average.

The White Sox will give the ball to Edwin Jackson, who is looking for a better second half of the season. Jackson, who is just 5-7 on the year, closed out the first half of the campaign with just one victory in seven starts.

The last time the veteran right-hander was on the bump, he surrendered four runs in seven innings en route to a loss to Kansas City.

This will be the 12th appearance, and 10th start against the Tigers in Jackson's career, and in those matchups the crafty veteran is just 3-2 with a lackluster ERA of 4.00.

However, earlier this season Jackson put forth a strong effort against Detroit, limiting the Tigers to just two runs in six innings. Jackson struck out five, but surrendered seven hits and four walks.