"The White Sox spoke collectively about starting the second half of the season with a clean slate.

Never were results so convincing, albeit for one game.

Embattled slugger Adam Dunn singled in two runs Friday night in the Sox's four-run third inning off the formidable Justin Verlander in a surprisingly cozy 8-2 victory over the Tigers.

"It's more fun than I've had in a little while," manager Ozzie Guillen said after the Sox (45-48) won by more than three runs for the first time since an 8-2 triumph June 19 in Arizona.

The Sox gained plenty of redemption while maintaining their five-game deficit behind the Indians in the American League Central. They snapped Verlander's seven-game winning streak against them with clutch hits from Dunn and Carlos Quentin and going 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position. They also snapped a six-game losing streak at Comerica Park.

The Sox chipped away at Verlander (12-5) with five hits in the third and they added one run in the fifth and three more in the seventh. Gavin Floyd (7-9) won for the first time since June 1 with 7 2/3 innings of six-hit ball.

"Tonight was huge, coming off a four-day break and facing the best pitcher in baseball and beating the best pitcher in baseball," Dunn said. "That's a pretty good way to start the second half.""