DETROIT (AP) — Eloy Jiménez hit a two-run home run, Yasmani Grandal homered to spark a six-run fourth inning and the AL Central champion Chicago White Sox held off the Detroit Tigers in a testy 8-7 win on Monday.
The benches cleared after Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu and Detroit shortstop Niko Goodrum exchanged words when Abreu was tagged out attempting to steal second base in the ninth. Abreu had been hit by a pitch from Alex Lange one inning after the Tigers’ Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch. There were no ejections.
Jimenez reached base four times and scored two runs. Cesar Hernandez and Zack Collins drove in two runs apiece in the makeup of a game postponed last Wednesday because of rain.
White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel (9-9) gave up two runs on seven hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks pitched the ninth, giving up one hit, for his 37th save.
Jonathan Schoop homered for the Tigers, who had defeated Chicago in their last four meetings. Eric Haase had a two-run single and Niko Goodrum supplied a two-run triple during the Tigers’ five-run eighth.
Matt Manning (4-7) issued a career-high five walks while allowing six runs in 3 1/3 innings.
OFF THE ROAD
The White Sox finished 6-5 on an 11-day road trip during which they clinched their first Central title since 2008. They’ll play five home games, including three against the Tigers, before the postseason begins.
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
The loss was the 81st for Detroit, assuring that it will not have a winning record for a fifth consecutive season.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Reynaldo Lopez (3-3, 3.16 ERA) will start the opener of a two-game series against Cincinnati on Tuesday. Lopez is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA this month and has given up a combined four home runs in his last two starts.
Tigers: LHP Tyler Alexander (2-3, 4.10 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game series at Minnesota on Tuesday. Alexander has a 7.20 ERA in four appearances, including two starts, against the Twins this season.
