Tigers Sneak By White Sox In 9th Inning Of Pitching Duel
DETROIT (AP) — Jose Iglesias singled through a drawn-in infield to drive in the winning run with one out in the ninth inning, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox, 2-1, on Friday to improve their major league-best record to 9-1.
Nick Castellanos led off the ninth with a sinking liner to right off Zach Duke (1-1) that Melky Cabrera couldn't grab cleanly. Castellanos stretched the hit into a double, narrowly avoiding the tag from shortstop Alexei Ramirez's tag.
After a delay while White Sox manager Robin Ventura discussed the call with the umpires, Alex Avila sacrificed and Iglesias singled to shallow right-center.
Detroit is off to its best start since 1984, according to STATS. The Tigers went 104-58 that year and won their last World Series title.
David Price pitched four-hit ball over eight innings with nine strikeouts and two walks, and Joakim Soria (1-0) threw a perfect ninth.
Chicago starter Jeff Samardzjia gave up one run and eight hits in eight innings, struck out seven and walked none.
A second-inning home run by former Tiger Avisail Garcia put Chicago ahead. Yoenis Cespedes homered in the fourth, a drive that cleared the first section of seats in left.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: RHP Jake Petricka, who has not pitched this season due to a forearm strain, began a rehab stint Thursday night with Triple-A Charlotte. Petricka pitched a perfect inning of relief and is scheduled to pitch again on Saturday.
Tigers: Victor Martinez was rested on Friday due to soreness. Martinez, limited to pinch hitting against Pittsburgh, looked noticeably uncomfortable during an at-bat on Tuesday, and manager Brad Ausmus decided to give him one more day off. He is expected to play Saturday. ... Justin Verlander (triceps strain) will not come off the disabled list in time to make Tuesday's start against the Yankees. Kyle Lobstein will remain in the rotation.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Chris Sale (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will pitch against Detroit on Saturday. Sale has a 2.84 ERA, against the Tigers with 106 strikeouts in 92 innings and a .220 batting average but is just 5-5.
Tigers: Anibal Sanchez (1-1, 3.46 ERA) starts for the Tigers. He is 2-4 against the White Sox with a 3.72 ERA in six starts.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.