DETROIT (AP) -- James Baldwin was in a groove Friday night, and that's a rut the Chicago White Sox don't mind.

Baldwin pitched 7 1/3 strong innings for his fourth straight victory and Jose Valentin hit a two-run homer as the White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2.

"The key was throwing strikes," said Baldwin, who threw 101 pitches -- 67 of them strikes. "Any time you're throwing strikes, it keeps everybody on their toes, you play quick, and that helps a lot."

It was the second game between the teams since they engaged in two brawls Saturday at Comiskey Park, but the first since suspensions and fines were handed down Thursday by Frank Robinson, baseball's vice president of on-field operations.

Detroit manager Phil Garner and Chicago's Jerry Manuel began serving eight-game suspensions, leaving bench coaches to run the teams -- Bob Melvin the Tigers and Joe Nossek the White Sox.

"Both teams wanted to win that game," Nossek said. "Fortunately, we won it. But both teams did it on the field."

Baldwin is the first White Sox pitcher to open a season 4-0 since Wilson Alvarez went 8-0 to begin 1994. Baldwin gave up two runs on six hits, walking two and striking out two.

Keith Foulke, who needed five stitches under his left eye after he was cut during one the brawls, got the last four outs for his second save in three opportunities. He struck out the side in the ninth.

This was only the sixth time in 23 games the White Sox -- leading the AL with a 16-7 record -- have had a game decided by four or fewer runs.

"It's been a while since we've been in a tight game," said Foulke, who led AL relievers with 123 strikeouts last season. "So, obviously that was fun. It makes you get good and focused."

Detroit starter Jeff Weaver (0-3), who hit two White Sox batters to ignite the brawl in Chicago, gave up three runs on 10 hits, walking one and striking out four for his first career complete game.

"It would have been nice to get the win," Weaver said. "But if I keep pitching like that, I'll be OK."

The White Sox took a 3-1 lead with a three-run third, keyed by Valentin's two-run homer. Successive singles by Greg Norton and Mark Johnson put runners at first and third. Norton scored on Ray Durham's groundout, then Valentin hit his third homer, a few rows up in the left-field seats.

Luis Polonia's eighth career leadoff homer gave Detroit a 1-0 lead in the first and Juan Encarnacion's fourth homer cut Chicago's lead to 3-2 in the fourth.

But the Tigers, who have the worst record in the major leagues at 5-16, only got two more hits after Encarnacion's homer.

"It's discouraging," said Polonia, who also had two singles, going 3-for-3. "You can't have a good night if your team doesn't have a good night. Every day is blue."

The White Sox, who have won nine of their last 10 games, had a runner at third with one out after Norton's triple in the seventh. But on an attempted squeeze, Johnson's bunt died in front of the plate, allowing catcher Brad Ausmus to easily tag Norton.

Detroit third baseman Dean Palmer and reliever Doug Brocail began serving eight- and four-game suspensions, respectively. Chicago outfielder Carlos Lee and pitcher Bobby Howry each began serving three-game penalties.

Game notes
Gregg Jefferies started at third base in place of Palmer. ... Five of the first eight games at Comerica Park were shutouts. Detroit, which was shut out a major league-high 12 times last season, was blanked in four of the eight games on that inaugural homestand. ... The Tigers will honor Sparky Anderson with a special day Sunday during which they are expected to retire his No. 11. Anderson will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 23 wearing the uniform of the Cincinnati Reds. ... The White Sox have a winning record both at home and on the road. ... This was the first time in Comerica Park for the White Sox. Detroit helped Chicago open the new Comiskey Park in 1991, beating the White Sox 16-1. ... Encarnacion, who also singled in the first inning, extended his hitting streak to 10 games.