Detroit is off today, but opens a seven-game homestand with a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow night.
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The Tigers are 11-3 over the past 14 games – a stretch in which Upton has hit eight home runs.
Abreu had three more hits, Avisail Garcia hit a go-ahead single against his former team in a four-run eighth inning and the White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 7-4 on Wednesday.
“It could be worse, .500 isn’t terrible”, Ausmus said of their trip. “But we’ll go 3-3 and we’ve got a big series with Baltimore coming up”.
Upton’s last six home runs have either tied or given the Tigers a lead.
“It gives us confidence going forward not only to finish the year strong but for next year too as well, depending on what do in the offseason”, third baseman Todd Frazier said.
“I left some balls over the plate and they hit all of them”, Greene said. “I’ve just happened to come through the last couple days”.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Chicago.
“That’s what you live for, man”, Upton said.
Chris Beck (2-1) got four outs in relief before David Robertson made it interesting in the ninth. J.D. Martinez led off the 9th inning with an infield single and Erick Aybar was able to draw a walk, but, Detroit was unable to manage a late game comeback this time.
The game was delayed 40 minutes because of the potential of a storm in the area, though it never rained. Gonzalez is 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA and.380 batting average against in eight career outings (six starts) versus the Tigers and has struggled against Cabrera (6-for-13, one homer).WALK-OFFS1.
Despite a good effort, Quintana (four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings) was on the hook for a loss until his teammates rallied in the eighth. In his last start Thursday against Minnesota, Quintana allowed seven runs and seven hits – including two home runs – in five innings. He allowed three runs on three hits while retiring only one White Sox hitter.
The Tigers won the series opener 5-3 in 11 innings on Monday before they were shut out for the 10th time this season Tuesday. Just let the guy get through this month with a few non-gray hairs left on his head. “I guess we’re fortuitous, depending on your outlook”.
Upton’s OPS in his past 15 games is 1.252, 600 points higher than what it was in the first 115 games of the season. Martinez, who has a bad knee and isn’t known for his speed, appeared to be in pain after sliding into second base. “He’s always going to have issues with the knees”, Ausmus said.
But Upton’s resurgence goes back a little bit further. He hopes to start Saturday.
Gonzalez (3-6) struck out four in his first start since August 11 following a groin injury to deliver Chicago its third win in nine games. Garcia has 36 RBIs against Detroit, his most vs. any opponent.
Tigers 3B Nick Castellanos, on the disabled list since August 7 with a broken left hand, plans to start swinging a regular bat this week. He intends to return this season.
Gonzalez is 2-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) this season.
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After losing 12 times in 17 games to the contending Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox hit their Central Division rivals where it hurt on Tuesday night.
