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White Sox play hard for 6 innings, then fall apart

Even after three straight devastating losses to the Twins, manager Ozzie Guillen promised the White Sox are going to play hard the rest of the season.

The Sox followed that script against the Tigers on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field - for 6 innings.

"It was a great game through the sixth," Guillen said.

After that, it was ugly until the end as the White Sox fell to Detroit 9-2.

Minnesota finally lost a game, so it still holds a 9-game lead over the Sox in the AL Central. The Twins reduced their magic number to 7.

White Sox starter Edwin Jackson had a no-hitter going until Austin Jackson reached on an infield single with two outs in the sixth inning.

That's about the time Jackson started dealing with a cramp in his right calf, and the Tigers broke the game open with 6 runs in the seventh.

"I felt pretty good," Jackson said. "I started cramping up a little bit and it was unfortunate. I tried to battle back and it didn't work out."

Detroit pounded Jackson and relievers Scott Linebrink and Carlos Torres as the Sox dropped their fourth straight and eighth of their last 10.

"There were three good things tonight," Guillen said. "(Brent) Morel played great at third base and he swung the bat great. Manny (Ramirez's) first home run, he needed that for himself. And Jackson threw the ball great; he just had one bad inning."

Ramirez put the White Sox in front with a solo homer in the fourth inning, his first extra-base hit in 15 games with his new team.

It was also Ramirez's first home run since June 19, when he was playing for the Dodgers.

"I'm just trying to get the feel back," Ramirez said.

Harrell gets starting nod: Even though Lucas Harrell allowed 6 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks in 31/3 innings last Sunday in place of injured Freddy Garcia (back), the rookie right-hander gets another shot today.

Harrell was manager Ozzie Guillen's choice over Carlos Torres to start against the Tigers.

"When Freddy is ready to go, he will be on the mound," Guillen said. "Lucas Harrell is getting the start because I don't want to change something. We should go with the guy and give Lucas another shot. I think he is the one with the best stuff to me. I know what Torres can do."

Jenks update: Relief pitcher Bobby Jenks (ulnar neuritis) is playing catch, but he hasn't been able to pitch for two weeks and manager Ozzie Guillen is not sure when he'll return.

"He's pretty far away because he couldn't crank it up," Guillen said. "He hasn't even thrown off the mound yet. The news I have is every time he tries to put something on the ball, he feels a little bit weird."

Honoring Nancy: After 40 years of service, organist Nancy Faust is retiring at the end of the season. She'll be honored by the White Sox before today's game against Detroit, and the first 10,000 fans will receive Nancy Faust bobbleheads.

<p class="factboxheablack">Scot Gregor's game tracker</p>

<p class="News">Tigers 9, White Sox 2</p>

<p class="News"><b>Rough stretch:</b> The Sox have lost four in a row at home while being outscored 35-13 by the Twins and Tigers.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Night to forget:</b> Not only did Mark Teahen play some shaky defense in right field, he was 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Going deep:</b> Manny Ramirez put the White Sox in front 1-0 with a 401-foot home run in the fourth inning. It was the first time he cleared the fence in 84 at-bats.</p>