On Saturday, the Chicago White Sox flexed their offensive muscle in a big win over the Detroit Tigers. The Sox only managed two extra-base hits on Sunday, but rode a strong performance from their pitching staff to a 5-2 win over the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, capping off a weekend series sweep.
Things actually started off nicely for Detroit in this one. Victor Reyes and Willi Castro walked to open the game (though Reyes was thrown out on a stolen base attempt), and Miguel Cabrera singled. Jeimer Candelario then flew out, but Jorge Bonifacio came through with a two-out single to score Castro, putting the Tigers up 1-0.
Unfortunately, that’s all the Tigers would manage against White Sox rookie Jonathan Stiever. The one-time Indiana Hoosier retired the next nine Tigers hitters he faced, and departed the game after 3 2⁄3 innings. By then, the Sox had tied the game on a Yoan Moncada RBI double in the second. Shortly after Stiever’s departure, Chicago took the lead via a solo home run from Eloy Jimenez.
And while Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull would not allow another extra base hit, the Sox plated three more runs in the fifth. A single and sacrifice bunt put speedster Danny Mendick in scoring position, and a single from Tim Anderson (who else?) put Chicago up 3-1. Yasmani Grandal followed with a walk, and Jose Abreu singled to bring home Anderson. A routine groundout plated Grandal, extending the Sox lead to 5-1.
Those runs were more than enough for the Sox, who rode a strong performance from their bullpen to an easy win. Following Stiever’s departure, the White Sox bullpen put up 4 1⁄3 scoreless innings before a pair of hits brought home Detroit’s second run in the ninth. The lackluster offensive effort negated strong performances from both Tyler Alexander and Gregory Soto, who combined for three scoreless innings of their own out of the Tigers bullpen.
The loss dropped the Tigers to 20-26. Their playoff hopes seem all but gone at this point, as they trail the Yankees and Indians by 5 1⁄2 games for the final wild card spots.