Anderson, Sanchez team up in 9th, White Sox beat Tigers 3-2 (Aug 25, 2017)
CHICAGO (AP) Although Chicago White Sox management has made a host of moves with the future in mind, the remaining players still are focused on the present. They're determined to finish strong in what most believes is a lost season for a last-place team.
Tim Anderson led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double and Yolmer Sanchez followed with an RBI single that sent the White Sox over the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Friday night for their third straight win.
Anderson had a game-ending hit Wednesday against Minnesota. This time, he easily scored on Sanchez's single to right field off Joe Jimenez (0-2).
''It's a great atmosphere here,'' Anderson said. ''The guys have been great and we definitely have been having fun with it.''
Said Sanchez: ''We cannot control the trades and all that stuff. We just come here and do our thing and prepare to play every day.''
Juan Minaya (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win.
Jose Abreu homered and went 2 for 2 with two intentional walks for Chicago. Jose Iglesias had a two-run single for the Tigers.
Detroit starter Justin Verlander allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. Miguel Gonzalez gave up two runs and seven hits in eight innings.
''Verlander and Gonzalez pitched extremely well to keep their teams in the game,'' Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. ''In the end, they got the hits in the bottom of the ninth - two big hits.''
Abreu's 26th home run in the first gave Chicago a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers took the lead in the fifth when Victor Martinez singled, Andrew Romine doubled and Iglesias had a bloop single.
Verlander struck out the side in the bottom of the fifth after getting the lead, but the White Sox rallied in the sixth to tie the score at 2. Abreu singled, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Avisail Garcia.
Sanchez's game-winner came on an 0-2 pitch.
''When I got to two strikes, I just tried to hit the ball to the right side and move the runner,'' Sanchez said. ''I'm happy I got the base hit.''
FIGHT AFTERMATH
Although Verlander admitted he was sore, he said he didn't believe the Tigers' fight against the Yankees the previous day was a factor.
''I don't think there's a letdown,'' he said. ''Most of the guys came ready to play tonight. It was just a good pitching matchup.''
TRIBUTE
Anderson used the Players Weekend uniforms to honor his friend Branden Moss, who died earlier this year. Anderson wore ''B-Moss'' as his nickname on the back of his jersey.
''Definitely a special moment for me,'' he said. ''Just having fun with it and honoring him by putting his name on the back of my jersey.''
MONCADA ON DL
The White Sox put rookie 2B Yoan Moncada on the 10-day disabled list before with a bone contusion of his right shin. The 22-year-old is hitting .188 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 30 games since being promoted to the major leagues last month.
Moncada missed two games last weekend with what was described as shin splints. He aggravated the injury Thursday night during a misstep on third base and left the game in the sixth inning.
''No one likes to be on the DL,'' he said through a translator. ''You know what? I can't do anything about it. This is the best (move) for me. I have to rest.''
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: 3B Nick Castellanos was scratched about 40 minutes before the start with a sore left wrist.
White Sox: INF/OF Nicky Delmonico was scratched a couple of hours before the start with a sprained right wrist. He was injured during his third at-bat on Thursday night.
UP NEXT
Chicago lefty Carlos Rodon (2-4, 3.88 ERA) faces righty Buck Farmer (2-1, 6.62) in the middle game of the series Saturday night. Rodon won his last start against Minnesota on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Farmer has given up five homers in 17 2/3 innings in four starts.
