Tigers 4, White Sox 3
igers 4, White Sox 3: Miguel Cabrera delivered a game-ending RBI single in the ninth as host Detroit survived squandering a three-run lead in the top of the inning to beat Chicago and protect its American League Central lead.
Ian Kinsler led off the ninth with a single and Torii Hunter drew a walk ahead of Cabrera’s single through the left side against Jake Petricka (1-6). Kinsler and Cabrera each had two hits and an RBI and Hunter knocked in a run for the Tigers, who remain one game ahead of Kansas City in the division.
Detroit’s David Price took a three-hitter and a 3-0 lead into the ninth, but the Tigers were reluctant to turn to struggling closer Joe Nathan and Chicago took advantage with five hits and three runs against the left-hander. Avisail Garcia broke up the shutout with a two-run single and Marcus Semien tied it with a two-out RBI single up the middle before Nathan (5-4) left the bases loaded.
Detroit snapped an 18-inning scoreless streak in the fifth, when Rajai Davis stole third base and scored on catcher Josh Phegley’s wild throw for a 1-0 lead. Alex Avila’s leadoff single chased starter Scott Carroll in the seventh, and third baseman Semien’s error helped spark the Tigers’ two-run rally.
Kinsler made it 2-0 with an RBI single and Hunter followed with an RBI ground-rule double down the left-field line. J.D. Martinez robbed Phegley of a homer in the fifth, reaching over the fence near the left-field corner to preserve a scoreless tie.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hunter extended his hitting streak to nine games. … Cabrera smacked his 51st double, surpassing his previous career high set in 2006 with the Marlins. … The Tigers honored retiring White Sox 1B/DH Konerko in a pregame ceremony, presenting him with a framed base.