White Sox Beat the Tigers in Drama-Filled Game, Twins Lose Fifth Straight Game

The sixth-inning grand slam by the Chicago White Sox (36-53) in Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers (50-41) was just one of the many storylines from this game.

Down 3-1, Sox rookie Joshua Phegley went up to bat with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam off Detroit’s starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (7-6). This represented the player’s first grand slam; it gave the Sox a 5-3 lead and ended Sanchez’s time on the mound.

For the outing, Sanchez allowed seven hits, five runs (four earned), three walks and six strikeouts over his 5 1/3 innings.

This was only one chapter and an earlier one had been a two-run homer by the Tigers Matt Tuiasosopo in the second inning, giving Detroit a 2-1 lead.

But back to the sixth inning where Tigers reliever Luke Putkonen came out to replace Sanchez and grabbed one out. He then threw a pitch behind Alexei Ramirez. In a flash of anger, Ramirez started going toward the mound but was then restrained.

Both teams responded by emptying their benches but no fights occurred. First Putkonen got ejected and then after arguing with the umpires, Detroit manager Jim Leyland also got kicked out of the game.

What was Putkonen’s defense? He said via the Associated Press, “I wasn’t trying to hit anybody. Just threw a fastball inside, and it got away from me.”

Miguel Cabrera

There’s more the story as we rewind to the fifth inning when first, Miguel Cabrera hit a home run–No. 30 for the year. He also has 94 RBIs and now he is first player in league history to have 30 home runs and 90 RBIs prior to the All-Star break, according to STATS.

From Carbrera’s home run, this gave the Tigers a 3-1 advantage. Prince Fielder went up to bat next and Sox lefty pitcher Chris Sale (6-8) threw a high, inside pitch to the player.

This didn’t go over well and angers started getting a little heated. By the Putkonen pitch in the sixth, both sides had had it.

For Sale, he gave up 10 hits, allowed three runs, walked two and struck out eight hitters over 6 2/3 innings. Thanks to his teammates’ offense, he snapped his 0-6 record over his last seven starts. Thursday was his first win since May 17.

In this three-game series, the Sox won two of three. They still sit at the bottom of the division, back 13 games and own the second worst record in MLB.

This weekend, they’ll play a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (46-47). Sox lefty John Danks (2-6) will take the mound against the Phillies righty Jonathan Pettibone (5-3).

As for the Tigers, they’ll look to regroup by playing the Texas Rangers (53-39) this weekend.

Tigers righty Doug Fister (6-5) will take the mound against the Rangers righty Justin Grimm (7-6) on Friday.

Detroit is +650 to win this year’s World Series but in the short-term, they’re going to see a win against the Rangers (-176, 9.5 o/u).

And the Twins Lose Again…

The Minnesota Twins (37-52) dropped their fifth one in a row on Thursday with a 3-4 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays (53-40).

Joe Mauer

It’s been a tough last few weeks for the Twins as they have lost their last 11 of 12 games; since June 21, it’s been 16 of 20 games lost. From June 30 until now, Minnesota has hit .225, averaging 3.67 runs each game while pitching a 5.91 ERA, according to MLB.com.

Thursday’s loss against the Rays was their ninth consecutive one against them.

And now, the Sox suddenly have some company in the bad team department.

Coming up this weekend, the Twins will travel and try to snap their losing streak against the New York Yankees (50-42).

Good luck as Derek Jeter may be back in the lineup unless he’s injured. Again.

The Twins will see loss No. 6 as the Yankees get the win ( -205, 8.5 o/u).