DETROIT (AP) — Jeimer Candelario had three hits and Akil Baddoo drove in two runs as Detroit built a big lead, and the Tigers withstood José Abreu’s three-run homer in the ninth inning in a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Detroit won the final two games of the series for its first series win over the White Sox since Sept. 3-5, 2018.
Tigers reliever Gregory Soto was forced to change his glove before pitching the ninth inning with a 6-2 lead.
Billy Hamilton and Tim Anderson singled, and Abreu hit his 14th homer with one out. Soto struck out Brian Goodwin and walked Leury García.
José Cisnero relieved and needed one pitch for his fourth save in five chances, retiring Andrew Vaughn on a lineout to right.
Tyler Alexander (1-1) allowed one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless innings to win in relief of rookie Matt Manning, who gave up two runs and seven hits hits 2 2/3 innings.
Lucas Giolito (6-6) dropped to 1-2 in his last six starts. He allowed six runs and a season-high 10 hits in five innings, and he is 0-3 in four starts against Detroit this season.
Giolito’s fastball spin rate was down 10% from his May 30 win against Baltimore, his last outing before Major League Baseball started discussing its intended crackdown on grip-enhancing substances. His slider spin rate was down 15%.
Baddoo reached on an infield single in the first, stole second and scored on Robbie Grossman’s groundout. Harold Castro hit an RBI single in the second, and Baddoo hit a two-run double for a 4-0 lead.
Chicago closed in the third on Abreu’s RBI single and García’s sacrifice fly.
Candelario hit an RBI double in the fifth and scored on Erc Haase’s single for a 6-2 lead.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox reliever José Ruiz left in the seventh inning with an undisclosed injury.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Dylan Cease (7-3, 3.75) is scheduled to start Monday’s series opener at Minnesota against RHP Bailey Ober (0-1, 5.84), the last stop on a nine-game trip.
Tigers: RHP Wily Peralta (1-1, 3.21) is to open Monday at Texas against LHP Kolby Allard (2-4, 3.46).
