Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Freddy Garcia continued his domination of the Tigers by pitching seven strong innings as the White Sox picked up a 15-3 victory in the middle installment of a three-game series.
Ramon Castro blasted a three-run homer to highlight a seven-run fourth inning and finished with four RBI, as Chicago bounced back from a 7-2 loss on Tuesday. Omar Vizquel went 3-for-5 with three RBI on a milestone night for the veteran infielder.
Chicago also scored seven times in the eighth inning, keyed by a three-run blast from pinch-hitter Brent Lillibridge.
Garcia (6-3) allowed seven hits and three runs to win the for the sixth time in his last seven starts. The right-hander, who had a walk and four strikeouts, moved to 18-6 lifetime against Detroit.
“We know about big-game Freddy. He got the nickname for a reason, he always competes up to the next level when he faces a good-hitting team,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He always wants to be in the big ones. I think he likes to compete against the best.”
Rick Porcello (4-6) was saddled with the loss after being pounded for eight hits and eight runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera homered for the Tigers, who lost for the seventh time in their last 10 road games.
Vizquel upped his career total to 2,723 hits, which passed Lou Gehrig (2,721) into 55th place on the all-time list.
Boesch went deep to left field with one out in the second inning, but Detroit squandered a chance for more runs in the third when Ryan Raburn grounded into a double play with runners at the corners.
Alexei Ramirez homered to left to start the bottom of the inning, and Chicago sent 11 men to the plate in the fourth. Vizquel singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Alex Rios then singled and Paul Konerko followed with an RBI double. Rios scored on a throwing error from third baseman Brandon Inge.
Consecutive singles from Carlos Quentin and Mark Kotsay produced another run, and with one out, Castro took Porcello deep over the wall in left-center for a commanding 7-1 margin.
Gordon Beckham doubled, marking the end of the night for Porcello, as Eddie Bonine came in from the bullpen. Juan Pierre struck out, but Vizquel singled up the middle to drive in Chicago’s eighth run.
Raburn’s sacrifice fly scored Johnny Damon, who tripled leading off the sixth. Cabrera followed Raburn’s at-bat with his 18th homer, which ties for the most in the American League this season.
“We felt like we were a home run away from really putting the pressure on them,” Damon said. “We just have some guys who need to figure things out.”
Castro’s single scored Quentin in the eighth, but the White Sox continued to pour it on after Fu-Te Ni entered the game from the bullpen. He walked Beckham to load the bases. Pierre then singled in a run and Vizquel followed with a two-run double. Lillibridge was up next and homered to center field.
Garcia is 12-2 over his last 15 starts against Detroit. The 18 wins vs. the Tigers are his most against any opponent…Porcello is 0-3 lifetime when facing the White Sox…After Thursday afternoon’s contest, Chicago heads on a nine-game road trip, although the White Sox will remain in the Windy City this weekend for a matchup with the Cubs…Cabrera has connected for 10 home runs over his last 16 games dating back to May 20.