The Detroit Tigers fell to a frustrating .500 on the season on Saturday afternoon, after a rough 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.
Detroit received a seven-inning gem from starter Max Scherzer, who gave up just one run on four hits with nine strikeouts, but could not close the deal when it counted. Facing White Sox slugger Adam Dunn in the top of the ninth with a chance to lock down the save and Scherzer's win, Detroit closer Jose Valverde was pounded for a two-run bomb to effectively spoil the game and also land his second blown save of the year.
Despite threatening for a rally in the bottom of the ninth, much like they did in Friday's game, the Tigers could not move the tying run past second base. Even in the loss, Detroit batters recorded nine hits against Chicago pitching, and Andy Dirks, Prince Fielder and Austin Jackson each recorded multiple hit games. The issue for the Tigers all day was leaving runners on base, as Detroit tallied a whopping 17 runners stranded throughout the afternoon.
Now tied up 1-1 in the series, the Tigers will send Rick Porcello to the mound on Sunday for a chance to win the three-game set and also stay ahead of the 13-14 White Sox in the standings.
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