Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Jeremy Bonderman allowed one run in 6 2/3 solid innings, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox and a split of a day-night doubleheader.
Tigers Pound The White Sox 7-1, Split The Double Header
In the opener, Alexei Ramirez was one of four players to drive in two runs in Chicago's 12-2 rout of Detroit.
The nightcap, though, was all about Bonderman (6-6), who allowed just five hits and a walk while fanning five in one of his most effective outings of the season. The righty helped the Tigers snap a three-game losing streak and remain seven games behind the White Sox in the AL Central -- where they began the day.
“You just got to play one game at a time,” Bonderman said. “Any time you face the guys that are leading the division, it’s nice to win some games and help yourself instead of looking for other help. You still got to win your game, but you’re always looking for another team to pick you up, and it’s nice to be able to do it yourself.”
Johnny Damon had three hits, drove in two runs and scored once for Detroit, while Brennan Boesch had two RBI in the win.
Paul Konerko homered for the White Sox, who had won seven of eight coming into the contest. Carlos Torres (0-1), making his season debut, gave up five runs, nine hits and five walks in six innings to receive the loss.
“In the first inning, he looked like a minor league pitcher, but after that he was good,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Torres.
The Tigers plated a run in the first on Boesch’s fielder’s choice groundout and tacked on four more in the second.
Ryan Raburn began the big inning with an infield single and immediately came around to score on Alex Avila's double to left. Torres retired the next two hitters, but Will Rhymes plated Avila on a single and scored on Damon's double to right. Damon took third on the play.
After Miguel Cabrera was intentionally walked to put runners on the corners, Boesch's RBI ground-rule double to left-center increased the Tigers' lead to 5-0.
Meanwhile, Bonderman dominated. The White Sox didn't register a hit until Omar Vizquel and Konerko both singled in the fourth. With runners on first and second and one out, Ramirez grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Konerko finally got Chicago on the board in the seventh, leading off the inning with his 26th home run of the season.
After Bonderman exited with two outs in the seventh, the Tigers' bullpen shut down the White Sox the rest of the way. Detroit added to its lead in the eighth when Ramon Santiago scored on an error and Austin Jackson came home on a fielder's choice.
The White Sox still lead the season series, 4-2...Torres went 1-2 with a 6.04 earned run average last season in eight games, including five starts...Despite the win, the Tigers went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Chicago went 0-for-4.
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