White Sox at Tigers
After suffering back-to-back home losses in 10 innings, the Detroit Tigers needed to survive a back-and-forth offensive duel against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday to finally put an end to their five-game losing streak. Seeking to move back above .500, the Tigers resume their six game homestand with the second of four against the White Sox on Friday night.
Nicholas Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera each drove in a pair of runs, including back-to-back sacrifice flies that provided the final margin in Thursday's 9-7 victory. "When those two guys get going, it can really boost the offense," Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We need everyone to help out, but Nick and Miggy are the key to everything." Rookie Ryan Cordell, recalled from Triple-A Charlotte earlier Thursday, had three hits and one of his team's three homers as Chicago had a three-game winning streak halted. "He had a really nice day today," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "This is a good start for him, and we'll see how he continues."
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (2-2, 3.27 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (0-2, 4.29)
Rodon picked up the victory last time out at Yankee Stadium, giving up two runs in a season high-tying six innings while yielding three hits or fewer for the third time in four starts. The former first-round pick had his one clunker in his previous turn against Tampa Bay, when he was knocked around for four runs on eight hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings. Castellanos is 3-for-5 and Cabrera 3-for-7 against Rodon, who is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in four starts versus Detroit.
Zimmermann lost his last two outings with woeful efforts, giving up 10 runs and four homers over 7 1/3 innings in losses to Minnesota and Detroit. The 32-year-old was superb in a pair of no-decisions to start the season, blanking Toronto on one hit over seven scoreless innings and limiting the New York Yankees on one run over 6 2/3 innings. Zimmermann was 1-2 with a 7.11 ERA against Chicago in 2018 and was torched by Jose Abreu (10-for-23) and Yonder Alonso (7-for-18, 4 HRs).
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit has hit a major league-low seven home runs.
2. Chicago placed RH Lucas Giolito (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list and recalled Carson Fulmer from Triple-A Charlotte.
3. Tigers OF Christin Stewart (quadriceps) went on the 10-day injured list and 1B Brandon Dixon was recalled from Toledo.