The old baseball adage suggests that momentum is only as strong as the next day’s starting pitcher. For the Detroit Tigers, their defense and timely hitting have given them an extra edge as they prepare to face the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
In Friday’s series opener, the Tigers secured a 5-2 victory over the White Sox, breaking a 2-2 tie with a late-game surge. Detroit’s clutch hitting was key, but it was their stellar defense in the ninth inning that sealed the win for closer Jason Foley. Outfielders Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows made impressive catches on the warning track, while shortstop Ryan Kreidler’s diving grab on a sharp line drive added to the defensive heroics.
“We’re all fired up,” said Vierling. “Plays like that give us momentum and a morale boost. Everyone gets excited.”
Vierling also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a go-ahead single in the seventh inning. Meanwhile, the White Sox, who suffered their 98th loss of the season—the most in Major League Baseball—were led by right-hander Chris Flexen. Despite a solid performance, allowing just two runs over six innings, Flexen ended up with a no-decision as the White Sox tied an MLB record by losing their 19th consecutive game with him as the starter.
Korey Lee was a bright spot for Chicago, going 3-for-4, marking his second multi-hit game in the past four contests. Luis Robert Jr. and Gavin Sheets also chipped in with two hits each. Sheets is currently on a four-game hitting streak, batting .462 (6-for-13) over that stretch.
The Tigers, who have dominated the season series against the White Sox with a 6-1 record, will turn to left-hander and AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal on Saturday. Skubal, boasting a 14-4 record with a 2.49 ERA, has won two of his last three starts. He is coming off a no-decision in last Sunday’s Little League Classic against the Yankees, where he allowed just one run on three hits over six innings in a game the Tigers eventually won 3-2 in extra innings.
“I was able to compete and get outs when I needed to, and that’s what matters,” said Skubal, who earlier in the season shut down the White Sox with six scoreless innings in a 1-0 Opening Day victory.
The White Sox will counter with rookie left-hander Ky Bush, who is 0-2 with a 3.68 ERA. Bush is coming off the first quality start of his career last Sunday against Houston, where he allowed one run on four hits over six innings but suffered a 2-0 loss due to lack of run support.
“I felt like I commanded all four pitches well,” Bush said. “I made them worry about everything, and I think I did a pretty good job with it.”
In a bit of injury news, Tigers shortstop Javier Baez was placed on the 10-day injured list before Friday’s game due to right hip and lumbar spine inflammation. He is set to undergo further testing.
–Field Level Media
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