Chicago White Sox's rally falls short in loss to Tigers

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria believes 24-year-old starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez has ace potential.

"Yes, I do," Renteria said. "Right now, he's scratching at the surface of what he can be. He's got a chance because not only does he have stuff, he has the ability to command that stuff."

Lopez came out firing 97-mph fastballs in Friday night's start against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.

He also kept Detroit hitters off balance with an effective changeup early, but the right-hander was hurt by John Hicks' solo home run in the second inning and Victor Martinez's 2-run double in the third.

In a 4-3 loss to the Tigers, Lopez pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 9 hits.

"It was a battle," Lopez said through a translator. "I fought and I did my best. I gave the team a chance to win the game."

The Sox rallied to tie Detroit in the sixth inning on Omar Narvaez's 3-run homer, but they couldn't come through with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning as Charlie Tilson and Adam Engel grounded out.

"That was it," Renteria said. "That was our chance to score a couple runs."

After Narvaez's first home run of the season, Detroit starter Mike Fiers hit Tim Anderson with a slow breaking pitch.

Anderson had some words for Fiers as he headed to first base and players from both benches spilled on to the field, but that was the extent of the conflict.

"It was nothing," Renteria said.

Garcia update:

Playing in his fourth straight game with Class AAA Charlotte on Friday night on a rehab assignment, Avisail Garcia was 1-for-4 with 1 RBI.

Recovering from a strained right hamstring, Garcia is 4-for-13 (.308) with 1 homer and 4 RBI.

"Avi's doing very, very well," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "I think we have him scheduled for a day off (Saturday). We'll re-evaluate after tonight, we'll get our report, we'll see where he's at, and we'll continue to assess what the next phase will be."

Hawk talk:

Broadcasting mainly Sunday home games in his final season before retirement, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson will be joined by White Sox Hall of Famer Frank Thomas this weekend.

On Aug. 19, former star first baseman Paul Konerko will sit in with Harrelson for the Sox-Royals game.

On Sept. 2, former catcher and current FOX broadcaster A.J. Pierzynski will help Harrelson call the White Sox-Red Sox game.