White Sox 5, Tigers 1: Bats go silent against Gavin Floyd, Adam Wilk injured by Prince Fielder line drive

Where to start with the Detroit Tigers' 2nd consecutive loss to the Chicago White Sox? There's so much to choose from!

• The Tigers' 3 thru 9 hitters going 1-21.
• A very effective Adam Wilk being forced to leave the game due to Prince Fielder trying to kill him by smoking a line drive into the Tigers' dugout. I'm sure that's not how he expected to finish his first career start.
  
• The Tigers let a wild and struggling Gavin Floyd off the hook with 3 double plays.
• Daniel Schlereth doing everything in his power to get the Tigers fan base frothing at the mouth, calling for his head on platter. A platter preferably found somewhere in Toledo.
• The Tigers falling out of 1st place in the AL Central...behind the White Sox.
  

This was easily the Tigers worst all-around performance of the season.

For the nuts and bolts recap:

White Sox 5, Tigers 1

After looking like world beaters during a 5-1 home stand, much in thanks to a powerful offense, the Tigers bats have gone limp against the White Sox. The Tigers have only scored 3 runs in the series, despite having several opportunities to break both games open.

A big reason for the Tigers' struggling in Chicago are the straws that stir the Tigers' drink are in mini-slumps. Miguel Cabrera is in a bit of a funk, hitless in his last 3 games. In the same stretch, Cabrera's running mate Prince Fielder is 4-11, but all 4 hits have been singles. Neither have an RBI or extra base hit. I'm nowhere near concerned, it's just one of those stretches.

As for the Schlereth situation, I'm at a loss. Jim Leyland continues to show faith in Schlereth, who shows the faith to be unfounded by his inability to throw strikes or get left handed batters out. In the post game, Leyland said Schlereth "needs the work." I had to pick my jaw off the floor. Between you, me and every Tigers fan on the plant, Schlereth could just as easily get his innings down in Triple A Toledo. He can walk every damn batter in the International League for all I care. I'm sick and tired of seeing it in the American League.

But I don't want to overwhelm you with negativity over one bad performance. There were positives as well. Wilk took the loss in his first major league start, but showed he deserves to stay in the rotation, throwing 5 solid, economical (62 pitches) innings. Austin Jackson continues to rake at leadoff, 3 hits raising his average to .433. Brennan Boesch finally flashed his power, hitting his first home run since injuring his thumb last August. Playing 2nd base, Ryan Raburn made an excellent over the shoulder catch in short right field. Delmon Young reached base 3 times and didn't look completely clueless in left field. Baby steps, Delmon. Baby steps.

Keep in mind a team always looks it's worst when the offense goes dormant. This is still a very, very good Tigers team that will win games by the metric crap ton. They could very easily break out with a huge game Sunday. Though I have to admit losing the first 2 games of the series to the White Sox has been painful to watch.

Tomorrow the Tigers try to avoid a road sweep and move back into first place, as Rick Porcello takes the mound against Chris Sale in a 2:10 PM start.

3 ROARS

Adam Wilk - 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 K, survived getting drilled by a Prince Fielder line shot

Austin Jackson - 3 hits

Brennan Boesch - Solo home run

3 HISSES

Daniel Schlereth - Did nothing to quell the calls from Tigers fans to give him a bus ticket to Toledo, post haste. Or to be traded for a torn bat bag. Or to be DFAed. Or to just plain go away.

Ryan Raburn - First half Raburn is in full effect, an 0-3 day lowering his average to .080.

The White Sox and city of Chicago - To quote one of Rob's overflow bullet points, "I hate games in Chicago." Word.

GAME 7 PLAYER OF THE GAME

It was Max Scherzer in blowout fashion, earning 70% of the vote from the BYB community.