Wherever Max Scherzer decides to pitch in 2015, I'm sure the White Sox would prefer it not be in Detroit. Or any other AL Central city. Or with any team on the schedule.
Scherzer continued his dominance over the White Sox by pitching six innings, scattering seven hits and giving up two earned runs while striking out 10. The White Sox did threaten more than usual, with several opportunities to put together a rally against Scherzer.
Scoring started with Adam Dunn hitting his fifth home run of the year to lead off the second inning, giving the Sox an early 1-0 lead. In the fourth and fifth inning the Sox would find themselves with runners in scoring position, but could not come up with the timely hit.
Dayan Viciedo lead off the sixth inning with a triple to right field, after which Alexei Ramirez drove him in on a sac fly. That would be the extent of the damage the Sox could muster against Scherzer, who now is 9-5 lifetime against Chicago with 133 strikeouts over 127 innings against the South Siders.
When Scherzer left after six, the White Sox tried to take advantage of the bullpen once again. Down 5-2 in the eighth, Dunn started a rally by doubling to left field. Viciedo followed that up with a single (which brought him within a home run of the cycle). After a quick visit to the mound, Ramirez kept the rally going with the third straight hit off reliever Joba Chamberlain, singling to right field.
The Sox would cut the deficit down to a single run, thanks to an errant throw by catcher Bryan Holaday attempting to throw out Aljeandro De Aza as he stole second, which allowed Viciedo to score from third. With De Aza as the tying run, Gordon Beckham grounded out and Tyler Flowers struck out to end the rally. For the afternoon, the Sox were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Miguel Cabrera and Rajai Davis led the charge for Detroit, who as a team were 6-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Cabrera was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Davis hit his second home run of the season in the fifth inning.
The White Sox finished the road trip to Texas and Detroit with a 3-4 record.
Game Notes:
- Gordon Beckham was 0-4 with three strikeouts.
- Jose Quintana had a solid performance: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 K. The BB column is missing for a reason: For the first time this season a White Sox starter did not allow a walk.
- He left that up to the bullpen, as Maikel Cleto and Daniel Webb gave up four earned runs over the last two innings on six hits and two walks.
Record: 11-12 | Box Score | Play-by-play | Highlights