DETROIT (AP) — Carlos Rodón was pulled after three rocky innings and the Chicago White Sox, closing in on the AL Central title, squandered a three-run lead in a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.
Despite the defeat, Chicago’s magic number to clinch the division dropped to two when second-place Cleveland was swept by Kansas City in a doubleheader.
The White Sox can wrap up their first AL Central crown in 13 years Tuesday — and secure a second consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history — with a win over Detroit and another Indians loss to the Royals.
Harold Castro’s eighth-inning single broke a 3-all tie for Detroit.
With two outs in the eighth, Craig Kimbrel (2-2) hit Robbie Grossman with a pitch. Grossman stole second and Castro drove a 2-2 pitch through the infield.
Drew Hutchison (2-1) picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Tigers rookie Alex Lange pitched the ninth for his first career save, becoming the eighth Detroit reliever to earn a save this season.
Neither starter was involved in the decision.
Detroit’s Matt Manning allowed three runs on four hits in five innings.
Rodón, pitching for the first time since Sept. 10, gave up three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six. The left-hander has been getting extended rest after his previous turn was pushed back because of shoulder soreness.
Rodón had won four straight starts.
Both teams scored three times in the third.
With the bases loaded and none out, Yoan Moncada grounded into a force at second, making it 1-0 with runners on the corners. Yasmani Grandal followed with a sacrifice fly and Eloy Jimenez put Chicago ahead 3-0 with an RBI double.
Detroit made it 3-1 on Victor Reyes’ RBI single in the bottom of the inning, putting runners on the corners. Jonathan Schoop hit a grounder to second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who lunged to try to tag Reyes with his glove while holding the ball in his throwing hand.
His throw to first was too late to get Schoop, and a run scored as Reyes made it safely to second. He moved to third on a fly ball by Grossman and scored on Miguel Cabrera’s sacrifice fly.
Much of the game was played in light rain, although it never got hard enough to cause a delay.
ANOTHER MILESTONE
Cabrera’s third-inning sacrifice fly was the 1,800th RBI of his career, making him the 20th player to reach that mark since 1920.
UP NEXT
The teams continue their three-game series Tuesday afternoon. The game was originally scheduled for 6:40 pm, but has been changed to 1:10 p.m. to try to avoid expected rain in the area. Detroit’s Tyler Alexander (2-3, 4.13 ERA) will face Dallas Kuechel (8-9, 5.23).
