White Sox walk-off twice on Sunday as they defeated the Detroit Tigers to split four-game series. The day began with news of Chris Sale being suspended by the White Sox, but ended with two victories.
The White Sox were able to split its series with the Detroit Tigers on Sunday with a pair of walk-off victories over its division rival. Adam Eaton was apart of both walk-off wins as the White Sox resumed its suspended game from Saturday in the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon.
With the White Sox embroiled in yet another senseless controversy thanks to Chris Sale, the team was able to reel off two important victories against a division opponent. Eaton hit a walk-off single in the resumption of the suspended game on Sunday for a 4-3 White Sox win. In the second game on Sunday, Eaton scored on a RBI single hit by Melky Cabrera for a 5-4 White Sox victory.
Betsided
The White Sox game on Saturday was suspended after a second rain delay in the ninth inning. With the announcement of Sale being scratched from the game just before the first pitch, the White Sox started reliever Matt Albers against the Tigers. Albers was making his first start since 2008 when he was with the Houston Astros.
Albers pitched two scoreless innings to begin the game, and the White Sox bullpen was able cover the remainder of the game. Avisail Garcia contributed with a sacrifice fly and a solo home run on Saturday. The White Sox lead 3-2 in the top of the eight inning when the Tigers mounted its comeback. After an intentional walk to Victor Martinez to load the bases, Nick Castellanos hit a RBI single to tie the game 3-3.
With the White Sox unable to score in the bottom of the eighth inning and a torrential downpour of rain, the game was suspended in the ninth inning. The game resumed on Sunday afternoon with David Robertson starting the ninth inning. The White Sox would start its rally quickly when Avisail Garcia reached on an infield single off Tigers pitcher Justin Wilson. After miscommunication in the Tigers infield, Garcia stole second base.
Garcia advanced to third base on a groundout from J.B. Shuck. Eaton was able to get Garcia home with a sharp single hit to left field. The win in the resumed game on Sunday ended the White Sox three game losing streak.
In the second game of the day, the White Sox were able to hold the Tigers scoreless through seven innings. Jose Quintana pitched 6.2 innings of shutout baseball. The All-Star pitcher recorded four strikeouts and allowed three hits.
Eaton hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning in the second game as the White Sox jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez was able to hold the White Sox scoreless after the second inning however.
The Tigers clawed back into the second game on Sunday with solo home runs. Andrew Romine started the Tigers comeback with a home run in the eighth inning with one out. Romine hit the home run off Nate Jones. David Robertson who was the winning pitcher of the resumed game on Sunday, blew his fourth save and second of the week in the second game.
Robertson gave up three solo home runs in the ninth inning as the Tigers came back from a 4-1 deficit. In the bottom half of the inning, Eaton would lead off with a walk. Tim Anderson who had two hits in the game, moved Eaton over with a sacrifice bunt.
Cabrera hit a sharp single to left field and Eaton scored from second base for the White Sox second win on Sunday. The win earned the White Sox a split of its four game series with the Tigers. The White Sox also kept its slim hopes alive of remaining in contention as they moved to 8.5 games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central division.
Next: White Sox Suspend Chris Sale Five Days After Cutting Uniforms
The White Sox surely needed both victories on Sunday as they’re embroiled in controversy over the actions of Sale on Saturday. The White Sox still have a chance of getting back into contention, albeit a small chance as they begin a four game series with the Cubs on Monday. The series will consist of two games at both U.S. Cellular Field and Wrigley Field. The White Sox will send Miguel Gonzalez to the mound on Monday against Jake Arrieta.
Record: 48-50