DETROIT (AP) -- Justin Verlander took a shutout into the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers expanded their AL Central lead over Chicago with an 8-1 win over the White Sox on Friday night.
The White Sox had won five of six, but fell 6½ games behind the first-place Tigers with two games left in the series.
Austin Jackson had three hits, including a two-run homer, for the Tigers, while Jhonny Peralta added a three-run double in a five-run fifth.
Verlander (21-5) improved to 19-2 since May 1, allowing one run on seven hits in 7 1-3 innings.
He walked one and struck out six in Jim Leyland's 500th win as Tigers manager.
On a 95-degree day, John Danks (6-10) struggled badly for Chicago, allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks in 4 2-3 innings.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC