After watching a six-run lead disappear, the Chicago White Sox have little time to regroup in a tightening American League Central race.
Chicago will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon when it continues a four-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Saturday’s game was moved up from its originally scheduled evening start to 2:10 p.m. ET because of expected inclement weather.
The White Sox (78-76) fell one game behind Cleveland after squandering an 8-2 lead in Friday’s 11-8 loss to the Tigers. The Guardians (79-75) beat the Athletics 5-3 to take sole possession of first place, although Chicago holds the tiebreaker after winning the season series 7-6.
Detroit scored nine unanswered runs, including five in the eighth inning. Hao-Yu Lee tied the game with a two-run homer before Dillon Dingler delivered the go-ahead single and Riley Greene followed with a two-run homer.
Lee went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs, while Kevin McGonigle finished 2-for-5 with four RBIs.
“I knew there was a chance,” Lee told Detroit SportsNet of his game-tying homer. “When I actually saw it go out, I just blacked out. I don’t know what I said or did.”
Detroit (73-81) has won seven of its past nine games.
Chicago’s offense provided plenty of early support Friday. Colson Montgomery ripped a three-run double during a six-run first inning, while Miguel Vargas hit a two-run homer in the third to match Munetaka Murakami for the team lead with 32.
“Yeah, it’s tough. No way about it,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Obviously you have a special first inning there and get the lead. Vargy with a nice homer. Just weren’t able to get any outs.”
Saturday’s pitching matchup features Detroit right-hander Jackson Jobe (2-2, 3.89 ERA) against Chicago right-hander Sean Burke (9-7, 3.47).
Jobe is coming off his strongest outing of the season. He allowed one run on three hits over a career-high 6 1/3 innings Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, walking one and striking out a career-best eight batters.
The White Sox enjoyed considerably more success against Jobe on Aug. 14, tagging him for six runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings in a 9-5 Chicago victory. It was Jobe’s only appearance against Chicago this season.
Jobe is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in three career appearances, including two starts, against the White Sox.
Burke pitched five innings of relief Monday against Cleveland, allowing one unearned run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in Chicago’s 7-3 victory.
In two starts against Detroit this season, Burke has allowed five runs over 9 2/3 innings. He is 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers.
Chicago right fielder Tristan Peters is day-to-day with a left shoulder/rib contusion after crashing into the wall while pursuing McGonigle’s fifth-inning triple Friday.
“I feel all right,” Peters said. “We’ll see how it feels (on Saturday). Just really sore right now.”
–Field Level Media
