CHICAGO -- Don't look now, but Max Scherzer has another winning streak going. It's too late to net him another unbeaten start to his season, but it's just in time for the Tigers to start building some momentum.For the second time in a week, Scherzer held down the White Sox, this time blanking Chicago on four hits with seven strikeouts over six innings. For the second time in less than 24 hours, meanwhile, Bryan Holaday proved to be an offensive catalyst, doubling in two runs in a four-run fourth inning that provided the bulk of the scoring in a 5-1 Detroit win. 
The victory sent the Tigers out of the Windy City with two wins in their two-game set, riding strong starts from Scherzer and Justin Verlander. A three-run third inning off Verlander Tuesday night was all the White Sox had to show for their cuts against Detroit's dynamic duo, as well as their suddenly effective, well-rested bullpen.Scherzer (3-1) won his third consecutive start by thwarting the threats Chicago built. He retired the side in order in just two of his six innings and allowed a runner to reach scoring position in each of the other four, but he took advantage of four inning-ending strikeouts.A slider inside on Dayan Viciedo spoiled Chicago's chance to build an early advantage, stranding two in the first inning after Jose Abreu's second double in as many games. Two innings later, Scherzer overpowered Adam Dunn, working his way back from behind in the count with back-to-back 94-mph fastballs past the slugger to strand Adam Eaton on third.Back-to-back strikeouts of Tyler Flowers and Marcus Semien stranded two more in the fourth inning before Scherzer overcame a Viciedo double in the sixth. Add in strikeouts of Flowers and Alejandro De Aza in the second, and Scherzer fanned seven batters for the sixth time in as many outings this year, the longest such streak to open a season in franchise history.Scherzer took two no-decisions and a loss in the first three of those outings, but he has won his last three starts behind 19 innings of three-run ball on 14 hits with 26 strikeouts.For one trip through the Tigers' order, Hector Noesi showed some potential for a pitching duel, retiring nine straight batters after a leadoff single to begin the game. Once Torii Hunter led off the fourth with a double to the center-field fence, however, the Tigers made the adjustment and knocked out Noesi before he could get a third out.Sacrifice flies from Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos moved the Tigers ahead, but it was Holaday's line drive into the left-field corner that gave Scherzer complete command. It the third RBI in two games for Holaday, whose squeeze bunt drove in the go-ahead run Tuesday night.The White Sox avoided a shutout with a run in the ninth as Flowers delivered an RBI single to center to drive in Viciedo, who had led off the frame with a double.Jason Beck / MLB.com
The victory sent the Tigers out of the Windy City with two wins in their two-game set, riding strong starts from Scherzer and Justin Verlander. A three-run third inning off Verlander Tuesday night was all the White Sox had to show for their cuts against Detroit's dynamic duo, as well as their suddenly effective, well-rested bullpen.Scherzer (3-1) won his third consecutive start by thwarting the threats Chicago built. He retired the side in order in just two of his six innings and allowed a runner to reach scoring position in each of the other four, but he took advantage of four inning-ending strikeouts.A slider inside on Dayan Viciedo spoiled Chicago's chance to build an early advantage, stranding two in the first inning after Jose Abreu's second double in as many games. Two innings later, Scherzer overpowered Adam Dunn, working his way back from behind in the count with back-to-back 94-mph fastballs past the slugger to strand Adam Eaton on third.Back-to-back strikeouts of Tyler Flowers and Marcus Semien stranded two more in the fourth inning before Scherzer overcame a Viciedo double in the sixth. Add in strikeouts of Flowers and Alejandro De Aza in the second, and Scherzer fanned seven batters for the sixth time in as many outings this year, the longest such streak to open a season in franchise history.Scherzer took two no-decisions and a loss in the first three of those outings, but he has won his last three starts behind 19 innings of three-run ball on 14 hits with 26 strikeouts.For one trip through the Tigers' order, Hector Noesi showed some potential for a pitching duel, retiring nine straight batters after a leadoff single to begin the game. Once Torii Hunter led off the fourth with a double to the center-field fence, however, the Tigers made the adjustment and knocked out Noesi before he could get a third out.Sacrifice flies from Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos moved the Tigers ahead, but it was Holaday's line drive into the left-field corner that gave Scherzer complete command. It the third RBI in two games for Holaday, whose squeeze bunt drove in the go-ahead run Tuesday night.The White Sox avoided a shutout with a run in the ninth as Flowers delivered an RBI single to center to drive in Viciedo, who had led off the frame with a double.Jason Beck / MLB.com
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