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Tigers edge White Sox to avoid the sweep

Jul 17, 2011 - 9:48 PM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Victor Martinez's two-run single in the sixth tied the game and he scored the go-ahead run later in the frame to help the Detroit Tigers salvage the finale of a three-game series with a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Brennan Boesch had a solo home run for Detroit, which was outscored, 13-2, in the first two games of the series.

Tigers starter Brad Penny (7-6) allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings to get his second straight win.

"Penny did a good job and we came back against a team that's hot right now," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "It was a good win for us on a hot day."

Alex Rios, Gordon Beckham and A.J. Pierzynski all knocked in a run for the White Sox, who came into the game having won three of their last four contests.

Chicago starter Phil Humber (8-6) suffered the loss despite pitching pretty well through five frames. He struck out eight but surrendered four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The Tigers finally solved Humber in the sixth inning to take their first lead, which they never relinquished.

Trailing 3-1 with runners on second and third, Martinez laced a two-out single to bring in two runs and knot the game. Jhonny Peralta followed with a single to center and Humber was pulled in favor of Chris Sale, who gave up a Carlos Guillen single that brought Martinez home for the 4-3 lead.

"I thought I had good stuff," Humber said. "I threw a bad pitch to Victor and he's a good hitter. He's been clutch for them that's for sure."

Penny was chased in the seventh after giving up a pair of hits. However, Al Alburquerque entered the game and induced a Paul Konerko flyout to end the threat and preserve Detroit's lead.

Set-up man Joaquin Benoit came in to pitch a 1-2-3 eighth for the Tigers and reliable closer Jose Valverde entered the ninth for the save.

The demonstrative pitcher stranded the game-tying run at second to convert his 25th straight save of the season.

Adam Dunn led off the second with a double, and after a Carlos Quentin walk, Rios doubled into left-center to plate Dunn. Quentin was held at third during the hit, but Pierzynski brought him in on a sacrifice fly and Beckham's RBI single finished the three-run barrage.

Boesch lifted a solo home run in the fourth to put the Tigers on the board.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, the White Sox have won five straight road series of at least three games...Detroit leads the season series 6-3... The Tigers improved to 24-12 during day games this season.