Galarraga Shuts Down Hot White Sox Offense

Armando Galarraga proved to be too much for the White Sox this afternoon, as he went 6.1 scoreless innings while giving up only 4 hits and walking just 2 to obtain his second win of the season. The Tigers routed the White Sox 9-0, as the Sox looked anemic on offense after their run of scoring 24 runs in the past three games.

Jose Contreras matched Galarraga pitch for pitch for the first 4 innings. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 5th, when Placido Polanco doubled to deep center to knock in two runs with two outs. Detroit then tagged on 3 runs in the 6th to make it 5-0. Contreras suffered his second loss of the year, as he went 5.1 innings, giving up 4 earned runs and 5 hits in the process. The bullpen was unspecactular as well. Mike MacDougal gave up 4 runs in just two innings of work.

Offensively, The Sox could not get much going against Gallaraga. Josh Fields' double was the only extra base hit in the entire ball game for the Pale Hose, who now drop to 4-4 on the season and is now in a 3-way tie for second place in the AL Central. The Sox now travel to Tampa Bay, where it will be a rematch of the 2008 ALDS. John Danks will take his chances against Jeff Niemann.

- Stan (White Sox writer)