Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Bryan Holaday's two-run double fueled a
four-run fourth inning as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago White Sox,
5-1, on Wednesday.
Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera both supplied two hits apiece and Victor
Martinez drove in two runs for the Tigers, who have won four of their last
five.
"It's always good to get wins against a division opponent," said Detroit
starter Max Scherzer. "They're going to give us a fight all the way to the
end. Anytime we can get a win on the road, it's always a good thing for the
ball club."
Scherzer (3-1) tossed six scoreless innings, scattering four hits, three
walks, and seven strikeouts to earn the win.
"He was great. You know he is always tough," said White Sox manager Robin
Ventura on Scherzer. "We at least got him a high pitch count. He's just
tough."
Dayan Viciedo went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Tyler Flowers'
single drove in Chicago's only run as the White Sox have now dropped two
straight.
Hector Noesi (0-2) lasted just 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs on five
hits.
Detroit won, 4-3, on Tuesday to take both games in a short two-game stop in
Chicago.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth. Torii Hunter stroked a fly ball
that eluded Eaton in center field at the warning track for a lead-off double.
Hunter moved over to third after Cabrera's grounder made its way to left to
put runners on the corners. Victor Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center
field to plate Hunter.
J.D. Martinez then doubled on a flyball to left to place runners at second and
third. Noesi walked Jackson to load the bases and Nick Castellanos' sacrifice
fly brought Cabrera home. Holaday continued the rally with a line drive to
left for his double that knocked in two, which made it a 4-0 game.
The White Sox looked to answer in the home half of the fourth. Alexei Ramirez
singled on a line drive to right and Alejandro De Aza walked, putting men
at first and second with one-out. Scherzer recovered to strike out Flowers
and Marcus Semien to get out of the inning.
Maikel Cleto got out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, but could not escape
Detroit's offense in the ninth. Holaday walked to begin the frame, Andrew
Romine reached on a throwing error and Kinsler singled to force Cleto off the
mound.
Daniel Webb entered the game and struck out Hunter and Cabrera before walking
Victor Martinez, bringing in another run. Webb then struck out J.D. Martinez
to end the threat.
Viciedo doubled off reliever Evan Reed to lead off the bottom of the ninth.
Three batters later, Flowers singled to bring him home, providing the White
Sox with their lone run.
Game Notes
Ramirez, who entered the game tied with Paul Konerko at 39, set the franchise
record for hits in the month of April to 40. He has also hit safely in 27 of
his first 29 games, joining Buck Weaver (1920) as the only two players in
franchise history to accomplish this feat ... Hunter extended his hitting
streak to eight games ... Cabrera has hit safely in seven straight games ...
Noesi made his first start since May 16 of last season when he pitched at
Yankee Stadium as a member of the Mariners ... Chicago's bullpen has not
allowed an earned run in 16 1/3 innings over the last five games.