Final Score: Chicago 6, Detroit 1

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski hit back-to-back homers as part of a four-run sixth inning as the Chicago White Sox downed the Detroit Tigers, 6-1, in the opener of a crucial four-game set.

Gordon Beckham added a two-run shot for Chicago, which leads the Tigers by three games in the AL Central.

"This was big for us," Beckham said. "We really needed to win the first one."

Jose Quintana (6-4) fanned seven and surrendered a run on seven hits and two walks to pick up the win.

Rick Porcello (9-12) allowed four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and a walk over 5 1/3 frames for the Tigers, who have lost four straight contests.

Porcello, who had allowed just two hits over his first five frames, was touched for four runs in the sixth.

"We had a pretty good ballgame going on until I gave up the home runs," Porcello said.

DeWayne Wise reached with one out on Omar Infante's fielding error and after Paul Konerko singled to left field, Rios laced a three-run rocket into the seats in left field. Pierzynski followed with a blast to dead center field for a 4-1 White Sox advantage.

Chicago tacked on two runs in the eighth.

Alexei Ramirez poked a two-out single to right field and stole second before Beckham cracked a two-run homer to left field for a 6-1 spread.

Detroit struck first with a run in the second. Delmon Young hit a one-out single to left field, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Jhonny Peralta's base hit to left field.

Game Notes

Detroit was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, while Chicago finished 2-for-16 ... The White Sox have won 11 of their last 14 home tilts ... Kevin Youkilis rejoined the White Sox after missing the last three games due to the birth of his son.