Winning five straight home series takes communication, cohesiveness and versatility.
The Chicago White Sox, who are on a home heater ahead of a three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers that starts Friday, aren’t shy about touting their success.
“It’s huge,” outfielder Randal Grichuk said. “It’s one of those things where you know you don’t have to be the guy every night. … We have a few guys that can drive the ball out of the ballpark, but we also have some guys that can scrap out at-bats, steal some bags and drive in guys. We win in different facets, and it’s been awesome to be a part of.”
While the White Sox just won three of four against the visiting Minnesota Twins, the Tigers lost two of three to the visiting Los Angeles Angels for their seventh straight series defeat.
Wenceel Perez homered and doubled on Thursday, but the rest of the Tigers managed just one hit in a 7-1 loss.
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch admits the team is feeling down, though not debilitated.
“I think confidence is a funny thing,” Hinch said. “You try not to let it waver every day based on past performance just because this is a grind of a season and on top of that, we’re frustrated because we’ve put so much work in. We’re putting so much attention into things and we’re not coming up with results.
“So, yeah, I clearly see a team that’s beat up a little bit, but the league doesn’t care and your next opponent doesn’t care. The character of this team is great. The want-to, the push, is good. You’ve got to get back up and compete.”
Chicago is coming off a 6-2 victory against Minnesota on Thursday. Grichuk provided a bases-clearing double in the third inning. Tristan Peters added a career-high-tying three hits and an RBI, and Colson Montgomery had two hits and an RBI.
Slugging first baseman Munetaka Murakami contributed five hits and five RBIs in the series. He homered Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, pushing his season total to 20, tied for the American League lead.
Right-hander Erick Fedde is set to start for the White Sox. Fedde (0-5, 5.47 ERA) has scuffled over four May starts, pitching to a 10.13 ERA in 16 innings. He yielded on eight runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings during a road loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Fedde is 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA in three career starts against Detroit.
Tigers right-hander Troy Melton will try to build on his strong season debut in a road victory against Baltimore on Sunday. Melton (1-0, 1.59 ERA) limited the Orioles to one run and two hits in 5 2/3 innings with three walks and three strikeouts.
Melton threw 79 pitches as he ramps up following a minor league rehab assignment. The Tigers shut Melton down in spring training after he experienced inflammation in his throwing elbow.
“Definitely some things to clean up,” Melton said. “Obviously, can’t be too mad at the result.”
Melton faced the White Sox twice as a rookie last season, including one start. He went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and seven strikeouts in seven innings during those outings.
–Field Level Media
