Tigers 4, White Sox 3: Jones fails as Detroit wins late

Tyler Saladino had himself a big game as he knocked in all three of the White Sox runs with a two-out bases loaded single in the fourth and a go ahead solo shot in the seventh. However, instead of the Tyler Saladino game, it became the Jarrod Saltalamacchia game as he hit the go-ahead dinger off of Nate Jones in the bottom of the eighth.

The White Sox rode the bend but don't break strategy behind James Shields, who pitched six innings and gave up two runs. The Tigers had plenty of opportunities, but Shields pitched out of the jams. He pitched out of the first after allowing a walk and a hit batsman by getting a line out double play and a strikeout. The Tigers plated one in the third on two singles and a sacrifice fly by Miguel Cabrera to take the early 1-0 lead. In the fourth, he gave up a leadoff double to J.D. Martinez, but would strand him.

The fifth was his biggest challenge. With one out, Cameron Maybin singled and Ian Kinsler walked. After Miguel Cabrera smashed a sinking liner to left that Melky Cabrera dove and caught, Victor Martinez also drew a walk to load the bases, which brought up J.D. Martinez. With a full count, Shields threw a dandy of a curve that Martinez swung and missed on to end the inning, with the Sox still up 2-1.

I thought it would end the night for Shields as well, however Robin Ventura kept him out there for the sixth. Justin Upton immediately tied the game with a shot into the left field seats. Shields got the next three hitters and left with the game tied at 2.

Saladino quickly picked up his pitcher with a rocket out to left-center field. With Shields in line for the victory, the Sox patch worked the seventh inning. Dan Jennings struck out Tyler Collins. Tommy Gun Kahnle came in and promptly walked Ian Kinsler. He then got Miguel Cabrera to fly out to left. Chris Beck then came in and got Victor Martinez to ground out to Saladino.

With the Sox getting through the struggling starter and the patch work seventh, I felt better about the game. However, Jones walked J.D. Martinez and after Upton struck out, Salty provided the heroics for the Tigers.

Tim Anderson and Melky Cabrera each hit long drives in the ninth, but they fell into Detroit gloves on the warning track, making a loser out of Jones.

Record: 63-67 | Box