White Sox ride power surge into clash vs. Troy Melton, Tigers

The Chicago White Sox made sure they'd stay in first place this weekend by defeating the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Chicago will look to extend its lead in the American League Central on Saturday afternoon in Detroit.

The White Sox used a power barrage -- four homers -- to secure a 9-5 victory Friday. Miguel Vargas went deep twice as the White Sox extended their division lead over the second-place Tigers to 3 1/2 games.

"I don't know if it's a statement game. It's a win that we're happy about," White Sox manager Will Venable said. "(And we're) certainly) glad to do that) against the Tigers, who are so tough to beat and a team that has given us a bunch of problems in the past. It was really nice to have a good all-around game, both on the pitching side, defensively and, obviously, offensively the guys came to hit."

Right-hander Troy Melton (7-1, 1.46 ERA), who will start the middle contest of the three-game series for Detroit, has pitched like an ace since returning from an elbow injury that delayed his season debut until late May. He's been even stingier over his last three starts.

Melton hasn't given up an earned run during that stretch, which spans 20 innings. In his last start on Sunday, he allowed only an unearned run over six innings in his team's 3-1, 10-inning victory over San Francisco. He gave up four hits and walked one while striking out five.

Melton has walked only five batters during the last three starts after issuing four walks in each of his previous two outings last month. Even his control has been a little off, he's still been effective. He's allowed more than two earned runs just once in his 13 starts.

The White Sox are well aware of that. Melton limited them to one hit, a solo homer, in six innings on June 20. In his second start of the season on May 29, Melton held them to one run and six hits in seven innings.

The current White Sox roster has a .157 batting average against Melton, who is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) vs. Chicago.

Left-hander Anthony Kay (9-5, 3.96 ERA) will oppose Melton.

Kay has two quality outings this month and collected the victories both times. He held Tampa Bay scoreless over 6 1/3 innings on Aug. 2. In his last start on Saturday, he limited Cleveland to two runs and six hits in seven innings.

Kay has faced the Tigers once in his career, getting the win and holding them to one run and six hits in five innings on May 30.

The biggest bright spot for the Tigers on Friday was rookie outfielder Ben Malgeri, who hit a pair of homers. Malgeri is getting more playing time with All-Star Riley Greene on the injured list due to a hamstring ailment.

"It felt good personally," Malgeri said. "But obviously I wish the outcome of the game was different. I just try to impact the game as much as I can and get out there and help the team win. We didn't get it done tonight. But I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Malgeri likely would start the rest of the series.

"It's been nice to see him get to showcase a little bit and settle in," Hinch said. "He's shown that power before. There's opportunity for somebody to step up. Producing like that, he's going to end up in the lineup the next day and maybe the next day."

--Field Level Media