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Morneau homers, struggling White Sox lose 7-5 to Tigers

CHICAGO (AP) - Getting cheered in Chicago after hitting a home run felt just a little odd for Justin Morneau. He wouldn't mind making it the norm, and the same goes for the White Sox.

Morneau hit his first home run in more than 14 months to give struggling Chicago a short-lived lead in a 7-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

"Yeah, it would've been nice if it would've held up," the four-time All-Star and former AL MVP said. "Nice to get that out of the way, but it's tough when we're going through a stretch like this, where we're coming back against a guy who's having a great year. But hopefully that's the start of good things offensively. We swung the bats pretty well tonight."

Morneau had his share of big hits against the White Sox during his long run with the Minnesota Twins.

This time he delivered one for Chicago in the fifth with a three-run homer off Michael Fulmer to finish a four-run rally.

The home run was Morneau's first since he hit one for Colorado against Arizona on May 6, 2015. It came in his seventh game and 17th at-bat for the White Sox, who signed him on June 9 and placed him on the disabled list so he could continue to recover from offseason elbow surgery.

Miguel Cabrera delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh and matched a season high with four hits to lead the Tigers.

Cabrera became the 56th major leaguer to reach 1,500 RBIs with his single off Nate Jones in the seventh. That put Detroit back on top after the Tigers blew a three-run lead in the fifth and sent Chicago to its eighth loss in nine games.

Ian Kinsler scored three runs, Nick Castellanos had two of Detroit's 11 hits and the Tigers broke through after managing just six runs over the previous four games against Minnesota and Chicago.

"Our balls were finding holes today," Castellanos said. "Against the Twins, we hit the ball just as hard as we did tonight. It just was right at people."

Kyle Ryan (4-2) pitched a scoreless inning in relief after a rare shaky start by Michael Fulmer. Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth for his 27th save in 29 chances as Detroit won its second in a row.

Chicago's Jose Abreu had three hits and drove in two runs. But Jacob Turner got knocked out in the fourth inning, Carson Fulmer (0-1) struggled in relief and the White Sox fell to 23-40 since a 23-10 start.

Carson Fulmer came on with a 5-4 lead in the seventh and quickly ran into trouble.

The Tigers loaded the bases with none out before Jose Iglesias drove in Justin Upton with a fielder's choice grounder. After Cameron Maybin walked with one out to load the bases again, Cabrera greeted Jones with a two-run single up the middle.

That gave the slugger 1,501 RBIs and put Detroit back on top. It also gave him 43 four-hit games, tied for 32nd all-time with Willie Davis.

Carson Fulmer threw 30 pitches - 12 for strikes - in his third major league appearance. It was also the first pressure situation for the promising rookie.

"Quick memory and throw it over your shoulder and prepare for tomorrow," he said. "I can't ever use the excuse of it being my first big-time experience and especially for me being put in that situation. Hopefully I get the opportunity to do it again."

ON THE MOUND

Michael Fulmer gave up five runs - four earned - and six hits in five innings after posting a 0.83 ERA in his previous 10 starts.

Turner threw 101 pitches in 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs and five hits. He walked four and struck out six after getting roughed up in his previous start against the Los Angeles Angels.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: Tyler Collins (neck spasms) batted seventh and played right field after missing four games. ... RF J.D. Martinez continues to take batting practice as he recovers from a broken right elbow, but the Tigers haven't determined when he'll begin a minor league rehab stint. ... RHP Jordan Zimmerman (neck) is on schedule for a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Toledo.

White Sox: 2B Brett Lawrie was feeling worse and unavailable after leaving Thursday's game because of tightness in his left hamstring, manager Robin Ventura said. He had an MRI on Friday, but the White Sox do not expect him to land on the disabled list.

UP NEXT

Ace Chris Sale (14-3, 3.18 ERA) goes for his major league-leading 15th win for Chicago, with LHP Matt Boyd (1-2, 4.91) pitching for Detroit.

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera watches his two-run single off Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Nate Jones, scoring Jose Iglesias and Ian Kinsler, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, July 22, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, center, and third baseman Andrew Romine celebrate the Tigers' 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox as second base umpire Ryan Blakney walks off the field after the baseball game Friday, July 22, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers' Jose Iglesias, left, and Ian Kinsler celebrate after they both scored on a single by Miguel Cabrera during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, July 22, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jacob Turner delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, July 22, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, July 22, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago White Sox's Justin Morneau is hit by a pitch from Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 22, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
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