The magic number to clinch the division is down to 4 for the Tigers following their 6-1 victory over the White Sox. Justin Verlander and Chris Sale were in a pitching duel for most of the afternoon, a duel that saw Verlander continue his impressive run down the stretch. The former Cy Young/MVP has a record of 18-6 in the month of September since 2009. Verlander pitched 8 strong innings today, striking out 6, and giving up 1 run on 7 hits.
The game remained scoreless through 5 innings, seeing both teams squander chances with men on base. The scoreless tie was broken by a very eventful 6th inning, where the teams would trade runs. Dayan Viciedo's RBI triple gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead, but Nick Castellanos' sacrifice fly tied the game at 1.
Tempers flared when the benches emptied in the 6th after White Sox ace Chris Sale hit Tigers' DH Victor Martinez with a pitch. This would start an argument between the two, where Sale would accuse Martinez of getting signs from center field during his last AB. Benches and bullpens would empty, but no punches were thrown and no one was ejected. Nothing would come of this incident for the rest of the game.
Sale was pulled after the 6th, throwing 101 pitches and giving up just the 1 run on 4 hits. Sale struck out 10 for the 8th time this season, which is a White Sox franchise record. Chicago's bullpen would blow it in the 7th and 8th innings against the Tigers' offense.
The Tigers scored 2 in the 7th, and 3 in the 8th once Sale left the game. Ian Kinsler's RBI double and Miguel Cabrera's league-leading 11th sacrifice fly gave the Tigers the 3-1 lead. Andrew Romine laid down a successful bunt for a suicide squeeze in the 8th inning. Rajai Davis and Kinsler would add RBI singles. Kinsler knocked in 2 on the game and now has 87 runs driven in this season.
Joakim Soria came in to shut things down with a 1-2-3 9th inning for Detroit. The closer role is the biggest question mark heading in to the postseason with Joe Nathan's inconsistency. Soria could be the top candidate to take over if there is a change. The Tigers will end their season with 4 games at home against the Twins. Detroit will clinch a playoff spot with a Seattle loss tonight, and have a chance to clinch the division on Friday.
The game remained scoreless through 5 innings, seeing both teams squander chances with men on base. The scoreless tie was broken by a very eventful 6th inning, where the teams would trade runs. Dayan Viciedo's RBI triple gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead, but Nick Castellanos' sacrifice fly tied the game at 1.
Tempers flared when the benches emptied in the 6th after White Sox ace Chris Sale hit Tigers' DH Victor Martinez with a pitch. This would start an argument between the two, where Sale would accuse Martinez of getting signs from center field during his last AB. Benches and bullpens would empty, but no punches were thrown and no one was ejected. Nothing would come of this incident for the rest of the game.
Sale was pulled after the 6th, throwing 101 pitches and giving up just the 1 run on 4 hits. Sale struck out 10 for the 8th time this season, which is a White Sox franchise record. Chicago's bullpen would blow it in the 7th and 8th innings against the Tigers' offense.
The Tigers scored 2 in the 7th, and 3 in the 8th once Sale left the game. Ian Kinsler's RBI double and Miguel Cabrera's league-leading 11th sacrifice fly gave the Tigers the 3-1 lead. Andrew Romine laid down a successful bunt for a suicide squeeze in the 8th inning. Rajai Davis and Kinsler would add RBI singles. Kinsler knocked in 2 on the game and now has 87 runs driven in this season.
Joakim Soria came in to shut things down with a 1-2-3 9th inning for Detroit. The closer role is the biggest question mark heading in to the postseason with Joe Nathan's inconsistency. Soria could be the top candidate to take over if there is a change. The Tigers will end their season with 4 games at home against the Twins. Detroit will clinch a playoff spot with a Seattle loss tonight, and have a chance to clinch the division on Friday.
