The Detroit Tigers nearly matched their season high for runs with a 13-1 road rout of the Chicago White Sox on Monday as they welcomed center fielder Parker Meadows back to the lineup.
After resting the previous game, Kerry Carpenter also returned for Detroit, delivering his first career three-homer effort.
The Tigers, who scored a season-high 14 runs in a win over the Boston Red Sox on May 12, again will aim to flex their muscle as the series continues Tuesday. A victory would assure major-league-leading Detroit at least a split of the four-game set.
Winners of seven of their past eight, the Tigers became the first team in the major leagues to reach 40 victories on Monday. They enter Tuesday having won 11 straight road games against the White Sox since 2023.
Meadows reached base four times and scored three runs in his season debut after recovering from a right upper arm nerve issue. He was one of five Tigers with multi-hit games.
“It’s a humbling experience,” Meadows said. “I’m super blessed to be able to be back up here with the boys.”
His Tigers teammates and manager A.J. Hinch appreciated seeing Meadows back in the leadoff spot, too.
“We’re better with him — whether it’s the top of the order, another potent left-handed bat, his speed, his defense, his presence, the vibe around him,” Hinch said. “It’s a big attention, and it makes us a better team. It will make for some fun lineup constructions and a stronger bench.”
Chicago starter Jonathan Cannon struck out Meadows to start the game, but the Tigers didn’t flinch, collecting 16 hits.
The White Sox also enjoyed a strong showing from their leadoff man as Chase Meidroth singled, doubled, walked and scored Chicago’s lone run. The rest of the lineup scuffled, however, with Austin Slater’s double accounting for the team’s only other extra-base hit.
Center fielder Luis Robert Jr., once a middle-of-the-order threat who recently shifted to seventh in the lineup, went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Robert Jr. is 1-for-20 with 10 strikeouts over the past seven games.
“He’s working extremely hard and has the right attitude about finding his way,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “You’re rooting for the guy and know that he’s an important part of this and it’s going to happen for him.”
The Tigers are expected to go with a bullpen game on Tuesday, so they welcomed receiving six innings of one-run ball from veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty in the series opener.
Chicago will turn to rookie righty Shane Smith (1-3, 2.68 ERA), who is set to face Detroit for the first time in his career.
After pitching to a 2.23 ERA over six April starts covering 32 1/3 innings, Smith got an out in the sixth inning just once during five starts in May.
He took a no-decision in a Wednesday road start against the New York Mets, allowing three runs and two hits in a career-low 3 2/3 innings. Smith had five walks and five strikeouts.
The White Sox have lost seven of eight and are 0-4 against the Tigers this season.
Carpenter has hit six of his 13 homers this season against White Sox pitching.
–Field Level Media
