Detroit Tigers split doubleheader with White Sox, Scherzer loses, Ryan Wins

Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers split a double header for the second consecutive Saturday, in a set of games that saw two of the game’s best pitcher face off before two rookies battled it out. The Tigers and their ace, Max Scherzer, lost the first game 6-3, with the Tigers taking a lead in the first inning. Ian Kinsler led off the game with a home run, and Victor Martinez following later in the inning with a two run shot that scored Torii Hunter. Unfortunately Scherzer couldn’t hold the lead, and ended up giving up six runs, five of them earned, on nine hits, two of them home runs. It isn’t often that Scherzer gets shelled, but the White Sox had his number. He seemed to have trouble locating his curveball, which led to the first homer he gave up to Adam Dunn. Evan Reed and Pat McCoy combined to close out the game, Reed gave up a hit an walked one.

Miguel Cabrera started at first base in both games of the double header, but was removed from the second game in the fourth inning.

The second game’s starter, Kyle Ryan fared better in his first Major League start, going six scoreless innings and giving up only five hits and walking two. Blaine Hardy continued to be better than expected in the seventh but when he came back out in the eighth, he walked the leadoff batter and was pulled in favor of Jim Johnson. Johnson gave up a hit and walked one to load the bases with no one out, and was then pulled from the game. Joba Chamberlain entered the game and got a ground ball out that scored a run before giving up a three run homer to Dayan Viciedo to bring the White Sox to within one run. After the homer, Chamberlain was able to shut the Sox down and end the inning. Joe Nathan pitched a one-two-three ninth to end the game and seal the win for Ryan.

The Tigers offense in the evening game was hot, spurred by Ian Kinsler’s three for five with three RBI. Don Kelly who started at third base, but moved to first when Cabrera exited, and Ezequiel Carrera also had three hits.

The Detroit Tigers play the White Sox again tomorrow at 2:10pm