Detroit Tigers: Offense struggles in series finale loss to White Sox

The Detroit Tigers have had plenty of trouble getting things going at the plate all season and Wednesday afternoon was yet another example as the offense was nearly shutout in an 8-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

After a rare double-digit run performance in Tuesday night’s 10-6 win over Chicago, the Detroit Tigers fell mostly flat in the batter’s box on Wednesday afternoon. Detroit’s offense was being shutout until the ninth inning thanks to the incredible day from White Sox starter Iván Nova.

Nova took the mound for Chicago on Wednesday afternoon and threw eight shutout innings, helping the White Sox on to the series victory. The veteran right-hander tossed 107 pitches, surrendered five hits, and only struck out one Detroit hitter.

For the Detroit Tigers, it was another sluggish day in the batter’s box for much of the team. The offense managed just six hits, four of which coming from Jordy Mercer and Travis Demeritte, and the game very nearly ended in a shutout.

It was Demeritte who was able to break the shutout in the bottom of the ninth inning. Demeritte launched a triple into deep right-centerfield at Comerica Park that allowed Victor Reyes, who reached base on a walk, to score the Detroit Tigers’ only run of the afternoon. For Demeritte, it marked his third major league RBI in his seventh game with the Tigers.

Detroit was unable to get much mileage out of starter Tyler Alexander, who lasted just over four innings. Alexander allowed five runs, four of them earned, on nine hits, bringing his season ERA to 5.13.

As the White Sox leave town, the Detroit Tigers next welcome another division rival to the Motor City as the Kansas City Royals come to town for a four-game series beginning Thursday night. Matthew Boyd takes the mound for Detroit to open that series.