Slumping Tigers fall to White Sox for fourth loss

DETROIT (Reuters) - The Detroit Tigers, who began the season with high expectations, remained the only major league team without a win this season after the Chicago White Sox beat them 8-5 on Friday.

A preseason favorite to reach the American League playoffs, the Tigers lost for the fourth time to a White Sox team powered by catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who belted a go-ahead, three-run home run in the seventh innings.

Tigers' manager Jim Leyland, who had criticized his team's lackluster approach at the plate after scoring just five runs in their opening three losses to the Kansas City Royals, saw some encouraging signs on Friday.

"I thought we were much better," Leyland told reporters. "I was real pleased with the effort, the aggressiveness. I thought we had good at-bats, quality at-bats, for the most part."

But with the game tied 5-5 in the seventh, reliever Jason Grilli quickly put the Tigers in a hole.

Paul Konerko laced Grilli's first-pitch fastball to the left-field fence for a leadoff double. Jermaine Dye lined the next pitch to right to put runners on the corners and Pierzynski stroked pitch number three for a home run.

"He sat on a change-up like he knew it was coming," said Grilli. "I just left it up. I made a mistake."

Detroit squandered numerous chances, particularly shortstop Edgar Renteria who went 0-for-5 and left eight men on base.

The Tigers, who bolstered their offense by acquiring power-hitting third baseman Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins in the off-season, have been hit by injuries.

Cabrera has been bothered by a leg injury, Gary Sheffield hurt his finger sliding into second base, center fielder Curtis Granderson is out with a broken hand, and relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya have also been sidelined.

(Writing by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)