Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Scott Sizemore belted a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox in the middle test of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.
Will Rhymes had an RBI double for Detroit and scored on a two-run single by Ryan Raburn. All of the runs scored by the Tigers came with two outs.
Detroit starter Justin Verlander (17-8) gave up three runs on six hits and struck out eight while tossing his third complete game of the season.
Mark Teahen went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the White Sox, who have lost a season-high five straight games and nine of 11 overall. Rookie Lucas Harrell, making his third career start, did not figure in the decision after he allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings.
Chicago now trails AL Central-leading Minnesota by 10 games.
With the score even at three, Sergio Santos (2-1) was on the hill to begin the eighth for the White Sox and retired the first two batters. He was lifted in favor of Chris Sale after Alex Avila and Austin Jackson hit consecutive singles. Sizemore greeted the young lefty by crushing an 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall.
"I blew the game. It sucks," Sale said. "I've just got to bounce back and be ready for tomorrow."
The Tigers had taken a 2-0 lead in the first inning. After loading the bases on a double and two walks, Raburn drove in a pair with his two-out single.
Rhymes knocked in a run with a two-out double in the fourth to extend Detroit's lead to 3-0.
The White Sox rallied in the fifth to tie the game. Consecutive one-out doubles by Brent Morel and Teahen produced a run for Chicago. Brent Lillibridge singled to put men on the corners, and Juan Pierre grounded into a fielder's choice to score Teahen. Alexei Ramirez drew a free pass, then Alex Rios stroked a run-scoring double. Verlander escaped further damage by fanning Paul Konerko to end the inning.
"Verlander was good. He had the one shaky inning, but I thought he was really good and we got some timely hits," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland.
Game Notes
Verlander, who recorded the ninth complete game of his career, has won three straight starts...Detroit leads the season series, 9-8.