Tigers 8, White Sox 4: Ian Kinsler’s 4-RBI night propels Detroit’s offensive outburst

DETROIT — Daniel Norris didn’t have an ideal start, but the offense picked him up and then some. Led by Ian Kinsler’s four-RBI night and J.D. Martinez’s three-hit effort (topped by a home run), the Tigers won 8-4 over the White Sox to take the series.

Kinsler was on some kind of hot streak and J.D. Martinez wasn’t far behind, but they weren’t the only two peppering the ball across the field Tuesday night. The Tigers’ bats rattled off double-digit hits against the White Sox, with Kinsler’s four-RBI night at the top of the contribution list. Only two Tigers went hitless and half the lineup finished with multiple hits.

Detroit couldn’t do a thing against Chicago starter Anthony Ranaudo for the first four innings, getting just one double and two walks against him. Contact was weak and it looked to be another off night for the offense. That changed in the fifth inning, and carried through the sixth and seventh in what amounted to eight runs.

This all after being in a 3-0 hole to start the game because of a poor second inning by Norris. No other damage was done by his shaky command and he had a 1-2-3 third, but he dealt with a bases-loaded situation in the fourth (via a single, double, and a walk) and then pitched around a one-out single in the fifth. He was able to end his night on back-to-back strikeouts, but overall the stuff just wasn’t there and it showed.

ROARS:

JaCoby Jones: Aside from playing stellar defense at third base all night, he lined a sharp liner into right field in the sixth inning for a double. Which scored a run. And gave the Tigers their first lead of the night.

Ian Kinsler: Drove a two-run shot to left to put the Tigers on the board. He then planted a liner to left just inside the fair line for a two-run single.

J.D. Martinez: Started the sixth-inning rally with a double to left, but also doubled in the second and walked in the fourth. Oh, and he homered in the seventh.

Tigers bullpen: Bruce Rondon had a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout, and Shane Greene recovered well after allowing a run on two hits to give Detroit two solid innings.

HISSES:

Daniel Norris: It was “only” three runs, but his command was erratic at best, and he had to fight to get through five innings.

Victor Martinez/Jose Iglesias: Combined, the two were 0-for-8 and they left eight men on-base.

STATS AND INFO:

• The only Tigers starters not to reach base were Victor Martinez and Jose Iglesias. Four batters had multi-hit games, and J.D. Martinez had a three-hit day.
• Ian Kinsler finished with four RBI on two hits for the night. It's the third time this season he's had at least four RBI on two hits, his last coming on June 11 when he drove in five against the Yankees. It’s the 12th time he’s done so in his career.

WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH: