Chicago White Sox drop a heartbreaker in Detroit

By Brian Draus | Apr 17, 2015

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija was brilliant for eight innings, only allowing a solo home run to Yoenis Cespedes … however, the Detroit Tigers won the game on a walk-off single from Jose Iglesias after some questionable moves by White Sox manager Robin Ventura on Friday afternoon.

To recap the game, White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia hit an opposite field homer in the second off Tigers starter David Price.

That would be all the scoring for the White Sox, as Price was equally brilliant Friday at Comerica Park. There was some great defense in the third inning by White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham, who saved them some runs that inning.

After Rajai Davis singled, Anthony Gose hit a double-play ball to second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. The ball went between his legs, and Davis ended up on third with one out. Ian Kinsler then hit a weak grounder to Beckham, who made a good play to retire Davis at the plate.

Miguel Cabrera then stepped into the batter’s box with runners on first and second and one out. Cabrera then hit a rocket to third, which Beckham made a fantastic play on, and the White Sox turned two to get out of the inning.

More from White Sox News

Outside of Cespedes’ homer in the fourth inning, the Tigers failed to do anything versus Samardzija.

They had chances in the first, fifth and seventh innings, and Samardzija got out of both jams. The White Sox didn’t do much versus Price either, managing just four hits all game, with Adam Eaton recording two of them. Adam LaRoche led off the seventh with a walk, but Beckham hit into a double-play ending any threat of a scoring opportunity.

Here is where the game gets interesting.

After Joakim Soria shut down the White Sox in the top of the ninth, Ventura went to his bullpen and brought in Zach Duke. The first hitter he faced was Nick Castellanos, who reached on a double to right field.

But was it a double?

Apr 17, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) celebrates after he hits a game winning RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Here is the problem. Garcia knocked the ball down as it was a line drive and threw to second where the ball beat Castellanos by several feet. Second base umpire Brian O’Nora called Castellanos safe, even though there was an angle that showed Castellanos was out.

Considering the game was in the ninth inning, and there was a chance that the call would be overturned one would assume Sox manager Ventura would challenge.

He surprisingly did not, even though the game was on the line and he had nothing to lose. Tigers catcher Alex Avila then put down a sacrifice bunt. That play moved Andrew Romine to third base, who came in to run for Castellanos.

Here is another strategy I don’t understand, and that would be pitching to Iglesias. Considering he is a good contact hitter, and the defense was playing up, it makes it too easy for Iglesias to beat the White Sox.

Now while I don’t agree with the whole lefty on the mound facing a righty as the issue, putting Iglesias on first to face Gose, who strikes out more, would make more sense. Not to mention it sets up the double play. As we all know, Duke faced Iglesias, and he singled to win the game for the White Sox.

I haven’t really blamed Ventura much for the White Sox struggles since he has been the manager starting in 2012. But after this, the front office needs to take a hard look at their manager due to some of the decisions he has made now that he has the talent to win.

Home/White Sox News