Fulmer flounders as White Sox fall to Tigers, 7-5

Making the challenging jump from Class AA Birmingham to the White Sox right after the all-star break, Carson Fulmer was impressive in his first two relief appearances.

The Sox's first-round draft pick in 2015 (No. 8 overall), Fulmer combined to pitch 2⅔ scoreless innings against the Angels and Mariners, allowing 1 hit and no walks while striking out three.

Called on in the seventh inning against the Tigers Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field with the White Sox holding a 5-4 lead, Fulmer was all over the place while giving up 3 runs on 1 hit and 3 walks.

The Sox fell to Detroit 7-5, and they've lost eight of nine while dropping further out of contention.

“It's the first time he's been erratic like that,” manager Robin Ventura said of Fulmer. “He was fighting through it. The first two were real smooth. He'll bounce back from that.”

Justin Morneau gave the White Sox the 5-4 lead in the fifth inning with a 3-run homer off Tigers starter Michael Fulmer.

It was Morneau's first home run since May 6 of last season, when he played for the Rockies.

Konerko to manage?

Before Robin Ventura was hired to manage the White Sox on Oct. 6, 2011, vice president Kenny Williams considered approaching first baseman Paul Konerko with a title change.

Konerko, Williams thought, would be the perfect player/manager.

Nothing ever became of the idea, and Konerko is now well into his second year of retirement after playing 18 seasons of major-league baseball, the last 16 with the Sox.

Back at U.S. Cellular Field Friday night, Konerko sounded like he had zero interest in managing the White Sox or any other team.

“I totally respect these coaches, especially a guy like Robin,” Konerko said. “Robin doesn't need to do this. He had a great career. He wants to do this and he pays the price every day to be here. That's hard to do because it's not an easy job. In early, out late every night seven months of the year.

“I was dedicated to playing so long. I'm not quite sure I have that in me now. I'd kind of like to go home and stay home for a while.”

Injury update:

Second baseman Brett Lawrie left Thursday night's game against the Tigers with a strained left hamstring, and the injury wasn't thought to be serious.

That changed on Friday.

“He is not playing tonight, not feeling that good,” manager Robin Ventura said. “He went and got an MRI today so we're still waiting to see what's happening with that.”

After the Sox's loss to the Tigers, Ventura said Lawrie could be back in the lineup today.