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Tigers hope to build on solid performance

Apr 12, 2008 - 12:44 PM Detroit (2-8) at Chi White Sox (5-4) 1:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Detroit Tigers saw something rare in their second victory of the season on Friday - solid bullpen work.

They will try to take some pressure off the relief corps by sending ace Justin Verlander to the mound on Saturday when they visit the Chicago White Sox.

When Dontrelle Willis was forced to exit Friday's start after just 15 pitches due to a right knee injury, four Tigers relievers combined to allow one run over nine strong innings.

The struggling offense came to life with 11 hits, and Miguel Cabrera lifted his average to .182 with a two-hit effort.

Righthander Jason Grilli, who entered Friday's game with a 19.29 ERA and was emblematic of a bullpen that had yet to show any signs of life, tossed three hitless innings against the White Sox.

Verlander (0-1, 6.17 ERA) will not only be trying to give Grilli and company a much-deserved rest, but will be attempting to rebound from a start last Sunday in which he allowed nine runs - four earned - in 5 2/3 innings during a loss to the White Sox.

The 25-year-old righthander is just 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA against the White Sox in nine career starts.

Chicago will counter with righthander Gavin Floyd (1-0, 4.50). The 25-year-old earned a win against the Tigers on April 6, yielding three runs and six hits in six innings.