Tigers rally with 2 in 9th to beat White Sox 3-2
DETROIT - One inning from another costly loss, the Detroit Tigers rallied against Bobby Jenks.
Sean Casey and Placido Polanco hit run-scoring singles off the White Sox closer in the ninth inning, leading the Tigers over Chicago 3-2 Thursday in Gary Sheffield's return from the disabled list.
Detroit, which closed within three games of the wild card-leading New York Yankees, trailed 2-1 entering the ninth. Sheffield, who hadn't played since Aug. 21 because of an injured shoulder, went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk.
Pinch-hitter Timo Perez reached on an infield single off Jenks leading off the ninth and advanced when the throw from second baseman Danny Richar went into Chicago's dugout for an error.
Mike Rabelo sacrificed and Casey, another pinch hitter, dribbled a single through the drawn-in infield to score pinch-runner Cameron Maybin.
Brandon Inge grounded to the catcher, Jenks hit Curtis Granderson with a pitch and Polanco singled to left, triggering a home-plate celebration as pinch-runner Omar Infante came across.
Bobby Seay (3-0) pitched a perfect ninth as Detroit got its second straight last at-bat win over the White Sox following five straight losses to Chicago. Jenks blew a save for the sixth time in 43 chances.
After Chad Durbin and Jason Grilli combined for seven shutout innings, the White Sox took a 2-1 lead against Fernando Rodney in the eighth on Paul Konerko's two-run double _ which ending a 15-inning scoreless streak for Chicago.
Brandon Inge homered in the third inning, his 13th of the season but first since July 21.
Mark Buehrle allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings for Chicago, which lost for the sixth time in eight games overall and the 13th time in 15 road games.
Durbin, making his first start since Aug. 18, gave up four hits in five shutout innings.
Notes:@ Chicago leads the season series 9-6. The teams play three games in Chicago from Sept. 28-30 to close the regular season. ... Rodney has a 10.13 ERA in his last six outings.