White Sox beat Tigers 5-1, avoiding 4-game sweep

[July 27, 2009]  DETROIT (AP) -- Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer in Chicago's four-run first, Gordon Beckham added a solo home run the next inning and the White Sox coasted to a 5-1 win Sunday night over the Detroit Tigers and avoided a sweep.

Clayton Richard (4-3) allowed only a run on five hits over eight innings to help the White Sox salvage a four-game series that started with them tied atop the AL Central with Detroit. The Tigers lead Chicago by two games and the Minnesota Twins by four.

Rick Porcello (9-7) gave up five runs and five hits over 5 1-3 innings. The rookie has allowed 19 earned runs in his last four starts after giving up 16 earned runs in the previous 10 outings.

Porcello got off to a rough start, loading the bases with two singles and a walk. Jim Thome followed with a fielder's choice to drive in the first run and the second one came on Adam Everett's throwing error on the play.

Konerko took advantage of a 3-1 count by sending a pitch 402 feet to left-center, snapping an 0-for-13 slump and putting the White Sox ahead 4-0 with his 19th homer.

After Porcello needed 31 pitches to get out of the first inning, Richard retired the Tigers in order with just nine pitches in the home half to set the tone for the game.

Beckham's solo shot to left was his fourth homer of the year and provided Clayton with more than enough support.

Detroit's lone run came in the fourth on Ryan Raburn's fielder's choice, scoring Magglio Ordonez, who had two hits.

Notes: Richard, a former Michigan quarterback, gave up one run for the second straight game. ... Tigers manager Jim Leyland said the team is not interested in trading for Milton Bradley of the Chicago Cubs. ... Tigers RHP Joel Zumaya (shoulder) is encouraged about his chances to pitch again this season after fearing his year was finished. ... Detroit had a chance to sweep the White Sox in a four-game series at home for the first time since 1988. ... Tigers RHP Casey Fien made his major league debut.

[Associated Press; By LARRY LAGE]

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