Defense and Soria Collapse as Tigers Drop Series Opener 11-4 to White Sox

Jul 29, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joakim Soria (38) reacts as Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn (44) runs the bases after he hits a home run in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After a 3-4 road trip through Arizona and Anaheim, the Detroit Tigers returned home to start a 3 game series against the Chicago White Sox. The good pitching from the road trip did not translate back to Comerica Park, but the slumping offense did as the Tigers dropped the series opener 11-4 in a start where Anibal Sanchez deserved better than what he received.

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The Tigers struck first in this game with in the 2^nd inning. Torii Hunter reached on a single the other way which was followed by a triple into the right field corner because of a misplay by Dayan Viciedo by J.D. Martinez who was not scheduled to start. Martinez started because Nick Castellanos was scratched due to a finger injury. Bryan Holaday drove home Martinez with a deep sacrifice fly to left field to make the score 2-0 after 2 innings.

The White Sox returned the favor in the top of the 4^th. Jose Abreu led the inning off with a single to the opposite field. Viciedo then hit a ground ball to deep short where Suarez made a diving stop then made an errant throw to Ian Kinsler who was covering 2^nd base allowing both runners to be safe. Conner Gillaspie singled to right center driving home Abreu. Gordon Beckham then hit a sacrifice fly to drive home Viciedo.

The 7^th inning, which has been Sanchez’s sore spot the entire year struck once again, but this time it was the fault of the Tigers’ defense. Gillaspie led off with a single. Beckham reached on an error by Miguel Cabrera (which should have been a double play to have the bases empty with 2 outs) who was playing 3^rd for the injured Castellanos. Tyler Flowers then singled to left field where Rajai Davis booted the ball to allow the runner to score and tally the 3^rd error of the game to make the score 3-2.

Joakim Soria then entered the game and the floodgates opened. Adam Eaton singled to left to load the bases. Alexi Ramirez promptly cleared them with a double. Abreu and Dunn then hit back to back home runs which were the 1st and 2^nd of the year surrendered by Soria in over 33 innings. Viciedo grounded out to 2^nd for the only out Soria recorded. Gillaspie and Beckham both singled to end Soria’s night. 1/3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR was Soria’s final line and the score was then 9-2 as the Sox hung a 7 spot in the 7^th.

Ian Krol then came in and mercifully ended the inning by retiring Allejandro De Aza. The 8^th inning was not as kind to Krol. Tyler Flowers singled to put the leadoff man on once again. Eaton singled tow put the first 2 men on. Abreu then doubled driving in both runners to make it 11-2.

The Tigers put up two garbage time runs in the 8^th. Miguel Cabrera singled to lead off the inning and moved up to third on a Victor Martinez single. Torii Hunter reached after being hit by a pitch to load the bases. J.D. Martinez then grounded into a double play which scored Cabrera. Bryan Holaday who was the player of the game for the Tigers drove in his second run with a single up the middle.

Jose Quintana got the win for the White Sox. He went 6 innings which were stressful, but he made big pitches when needed. His final line was 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 2 K. The Tigers had 11 base runners reached base against Quintana, but stranded 7 of them and only scored in the 2^nd and 8^th innings.

Game Notes:

• Nick Castellanos was scheduled to start, but was scratched due a right index finger contusion after he was hit with a ground ball during batting practice.
• Suarez was taken out of the game after the top of the 4^th inning due to lower back tightness which may have been suffered while diving for the ball. He is day-to-day.
• In 33 1/3 innings with the Texas Rangers this season, Soria surrendered 12 runs on 25 hits and no home runs. In 2/3 of an inning with Detroit, Soria has surrendered 5 runs on 8 hits and 2 home runs.
• Joe Nathan pitched another shutout inning. His July numbers are 9 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, and 14 K for a 1.00 WHIP and 3.00 ERA.