Tigers 7, White Sox 1: First place surrendered

On a day when Kenny Williams shored up his bullpen, it was the offense that once again failed to show up. Tigers starter Rick Porcello was perfect through 4 innings but the White Sox broke through in the top of the 5th, when Dayan Viciedo's bloop single scored Alex Rios.

All that appeared to do was wake the sleeping Tigers offense, who responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning. The damage came with two outs in the inning, when Chris Sale gave up singles to Gerald Laird and Danny Worth and Austin Jackson hit a bases-clearing double.

They proceeded to pile on in the 6th, again striking with two outs by way of a Brendan Boesch 3 run homer. They added another 2 runs in the 8th against Dylan Axerlod, who was optioned to Charlotte after the game to make room for Brett Myers.

The White Sox managed just 5 hits against Rick Porcello and Joaquion Benoit, all of them singles. They failed to draw a walk.

Sale matched his season high with 5 earned runs, as well as 4 walks.

The White Sox will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow with Phil Humber on the mound against rookie Jacob Turner.