(Sports Network) - A battle for first place in the American League Central will ensue this afternoon, when the Detroit Tigers battle the Chicago White Sox in the third matchup of a four-game set at Comerica Park.

The White Sox will turn to suddenly red-hot Gavin Floyd, who has won four of his last five starts, including two in a row. The last time the savvy right- hander was on the hill, he tossed seven strong innings in a win over Tampa Bay.

Floyd allowed three runs in the win on three hits and two walks, but the 26- year-old also struck out seven batters.

Earlier this season Floyd twirled a gem against the Tigers, allowing just one run in eight innings. However, the righty did not factor in the decision. The strong showing should not be surprising, considering in 11 career outings against Detroit Floyd is 5-0 with a 3.55 earned run average.

As for the Tigers, they will look towards Edwin Jackson, who has just one victory in his last seven outings. The last time the right-hander took the mound he only allowed two runs against the Yankees, but still fell to New York by a 2-1 margin. Jackson scattered five hits in seven innings and also struck out five batters.

The 25-year-old has struggled in five career outings against Chicago, posting a 1-2 mark with a 5.93 earned run average. Earlier this year the young hurler lasted just five innings against the Pale Hoes, surrendering just two runs on five hits and four walks.

Yesterday these two teams went through a double-dosage of baseball with the Tigers winning both matchups.

In the earlier contest, a day after Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game, Chicago was on the opposite end of a dominating performance, as Justin Verlander threw a complete game in the Tigers' 5-1 win over the White Sox.

Verlander (11-5) allowed an unearned run on six hits and four walks in his third complete game of the season. He escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth inning to secure the victory for Detroit in the opener of Friday's day-night doubleheader.

"That was big, even bigger for myself because Skip (Jim Leyland) left me out there," said Verlander. "I'm really competitive. I want the ball in that situation. He let me stay out there and thankfully it worked out."

The twinbill, which started a four-game series, was critical since the Tigers and White Sox entered the day tied atop the American League Central.

Placido Polanco went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in, while Adam Everett had two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who snapped a two-game slide.

The White Sox, meanwhile, were coming off Buehrle's historic feat, as the left-hander set down 27 consecutive Tampa Bay Rays hitters in Chicago's 5-0 victory Thursday.

A tough act to follow, Jose Contreras (4-9) was tasked with the job, but took the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. He also struck out eight.

A.J. Pierzynski had two hits and scored for Chicago, whose two-game win streak was broken.

"I thought we were ready to play," said Pierzynski. "Verlander came out and pitched well. Jose pitched well. We had chances, but just didn't take advantage of them."

In the nightcap, Clete Thomas walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning to force in the eventual game-winning run, as the Tigers edged the White Sox, 4-3.

"It was a long day and it was a good day for us," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "It was a good day for Detroit. Were glad we made some people happy today."

Carlos Guillen, who was activated from the DL prior to the first game, went 2- for-3 with a solo homer for the Tigers, who came into the day losers in five of six contests. Placido Polanco and Dusty Ryan each knocked in a run.

Eddie Bonine, who was making his first start of the season, gave up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in a six-inning start to take a no-decision for Detroit. Brandon Lyon (4-4) tossed a scoreless eighth to get the win, while Fernando Rodney sent Chicago down in order in the ninth for his 21st save.

Jermaine Dye stroked a two-run home run and Jim Thome also went deep to lead the White Sox, who had won five of seven coming into Friday.

"We had a lot of opportunities and at the end of the day those were missed. That's what cost us," said White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko.

Bartolo Colon lasted seven frames, allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts to take a no-decision. Colon was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. This was Colon's first start since a June 7 loss to Cleveland. Scott Linebrink (2-5) allowed one run on two hits in one-third of an inning to take the loss.



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