Upon further review, Sox come out on top in Detroit

Posted May 18, 2010 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

DETROIT - The White Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning against the Tigers on Tuesday and Paul Konerko followed with an RBI single.

After that, Alex Rios struck out and A.J. Pierzynski grounded into a double play.

Seen this game before?

"That's White Sox baseball," manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Eventually falling behind Detroit 2-1 at Comerica Park, it looked like another loss was in store for the Sox followed by another round of trade rumors and pending dismissals.

Instead, the Sox got key hits from Juan Pierre and Carlos Quentin, Freddy Garcia shut down the Tigers after allowing a run in each of the first two innings and they even caught a rare break in the sixth when Brandon Inge's apparent home run to left field was overturned after the umpires reviewed the video tape.

In the end, the White Sox emerged with a 6-2 win and headed back home feeling good about themselves for a change.

"Every win, we'll take it," Guillen said. "We've been so down - it was important for us. We go back home, and I'm not saying it was a good road trip. We played OK (3-3), but I thought we were going to win more games than we did."

Garcia didn't have a déjà vu moment when the Sox failed to do more damage against Detroit starter Rick Porcello (3-4) in the first inning.

"At least we scored one," he said.

When the White Sox added 3 more runs in the fourth inning - with 2 scoring on Pierre's double - Garcia (3-2) was able to make the lead stand up.

"Bottom line, we have to start winning," Garcia said. "For me, it's another game. But I'm glad we scored some runs. We scored and that's all I need."

Leading 3-2 in the fifth inning with one out and Austin Jackson on third base, Garcia struck out Johnny Damon, walked Magglio Ordonez and got Miguel Cabrera to line out to right fielder Andruw Jones.

"I said before if my shoulder doesn't bother me, I can pitch," Garcia said after allowing 2 runs in 6 innings. "I throw every pitch I have. I go there and do my thing. If my shoulder is fine, I can put the ball down whenever I want."

Garcia got a pitch up to Inge in the sixth and it looked a 3-2 game on the home run.

But Pierre, third baseman Mark Teahen and shortstop Alexei Ramirez immediately argued the call, and the White Sox had their first-ever home run review.

"I was shocked that he (third-base umpire Dan Iassogna) made the fair call, but it's a pretty hard call because they have the yellow line that's kind of foul," Pierre said. "But I saw where it hit the top, to the left of it (foul pole). I was a little adamant about it. Usually you don't do that. It was a big run, a big situation in the game."

The call was corrected and the Sox hope their disappointing season follows suit. Then again, the White Sox haven't won two straight since April 24-25.

"If I believe in God, I need a win tomorrow," Guillen said. "Then I start believing in God."

White Sox's Andruw Jones steals second base as Detroit Tigers second baseman Ramon Santiago loses the ball in the third inning. Associated Press

Scot Gregor's game tracker

Second look: Brandon Inge's solo home run to left field in the sixth inning was wiped out after umpires review the videotape. Since video review started in 2008, 78 home runs haven been looked at and 27 were overturned. Tuesday was the first time the Sox were involved in video review.

Quentin sighting: After missing the Kansas City series with food poisoning, Carlos Quentin returned to the lineup and was 3-for-4 with a 2-run double in the eighth inning. The right fielder raised his average from .180 to .200.

Hat trick: Freddy Garcia held Detroit to 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings while winning his third straight start. In his last 10 starts against the Tigers, Garcia is 8-1.

White Sox scouting report

White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus Wednesday; Comcast SportsNet Thursday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (3-2) vs. Joe Saunders (2-5) Wednesday; Mark Buehrle (2-5) vs. Ervin Santana (2-3) Thursday. Both games start at 7:10 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox were 5-4 against the Angels last season (2-1 at the Cell.) They've won five of their last seven home games vs. Los Angeles. Paul Konerko is a lifetime .300 hitter with 19 HR and 58 RBI against the Angels.

Danks has lost two in a row, but he has allowed 3 earned runs or less in all 7 of his starts this season.

Next: Florida Marlins, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field

<h1>More Coverage</h1>

<h2>Stories</h2>

<li><a href="/story/?id=381712">Sox farmhand Viciedo showing his HR power [5/18/10]</a></li>

</ul>

</div>

Article Comments