Errors help Tigers beat Jenks
DETROIT -- The Tigers finally figured out a way to get to White Sox closer Bobby Jenks on Thursday.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Detroit rallied for a 3-2 win at Comerica Park while keeping its wild-card hopes alive.
Jenks hadn't allowed a run in his last 18 innings, and the big right-hander also retired 56 of the last 60 batters he faced.
But the Tigers took advantage of an error by rookie second baseman Danny Richar and another fielding miscue by third baseman Alex Cintron, scoring 2 runs off Jenks.
"I made some good pitches out there,'' Jenks said after blowing his first save opportunity since July 17. "Maybe too good, or just not good enough. It's just one of those frustrating days where you know you made the outs but they just somehow did enough.''
Placido Polanco's single scored Omar Infante to end the game.
"That's the way we play right now, that's the way we play all year,'' said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
After scoring just 1 run on 4 hits in Wednesday's loss in 11 innings, the White Sox were in danger of being shut out before Paul Konerko came through with a clutch 2-run double with two outs in the eighth inning.
"Our offense still isn't clicking,'' Guillen said. "We just had the one inning today when we made something happen. It's hard to win games when you score 2, 1 runs.''
Starter Mark Buehrle pitched 7 strong innings against the Tigers, allowing 1 run on 7 hits.
Sick bay: Jermaine Dye missed his second straight game with a strained left groin, and the right fielder might not be ready to play against the Twins tonight.
Designated hitter Jim Thome (soreness) was held out of the starting lineup, but he pinch-hit in the eighth inning.
Report card: Injuries opened the door for Josh Fields and Jerry Owens this season, and both rookies have been playing on a regular basis for over two months.
"Fortunately for them, it probably could only have come in a year like this,'' said White Sox general manager Kenny Williams. "They've had an opportunity to show their wares. And both have played well, in my opinion. They both have a lot to learn and certainly their ceilings are higher. As to how they fit in next year, we'll have to wait and see.''
Fields shifted to left field in late August, ostensibly clearing the way for third baseman Joe Crede's return next season. Owens has played well at times, but the Sox are expected to shop for a more polished center fielder/leadoff man during the off-season.