Tigers starter Andy Oliver failed to last four innings as the White Sox jumped on him early and hung on for a 6-4 win Friday.
Carlos Quentin hit a three-run shot in the fourth inning that opened up a 4-0 lead, but the Tigers clawed back into the game thanks to Casper Wells’ three-run homer an inning later. Brent Lillibridge and Juan Pierre each hit solo homers late in the game to fend off the Tigers.
Oliver, making his second start in place of injured starter Phil Coke, gave up four runs on six hits in just 3 2/3 innings while issuing five walks. Charlie Furbush and Enrique Gonzalez finished out the game for the Tigers with each issuing a solo home run to Lillibridge and Pierre, respectively.
The Tigers appeared on their way to a comeback in the eighth inning, loading the bases with just one out. After Alex Avila hit a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 5-4, Ramon Santiago struck out looking to end the inning.
Pierre got the run back in the bottom of the frame, blasting Gonzalez’s 1-1 pitch over the right field wall to make it 6-4.
Detroit threatened again in the ninth when Austin Jackson drew a lead off walk and then advanced to second on a hit-and-run with Brennan Boesch at the plate. In a risky move, the White Sox elected to pitch to slugger Miguel Cabrera with first base open—and it worked. Cabrera struck out swinging to end the game.