Major League Baseball

Homers by Cespedes, Martinez lead Tigers past White Sox 6-4

Published Jun. 7, 2015 5:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHICAGO (AP) The Detroit Tigers like how their offense is producing after a long slump.

J.D. Martinez wants to keep the momentum going.

Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes homered in the sixth inning to power the Tigers past the Chicago White Sox 6-4 on Sunday.

The Tigers have won consecutive games after dropping eight straight, their longest skid since 2005.

''This series was a good sign for us,'' said Martinez, who had three RBIs. ''We were able to have fun, play loose and swing the bats well. ... Unfortunately, we have an off day tomorrow. I kind of wish we were playing.''

Alfredo Simon (6-3) struck out seven and allowed four runs - one earned - in eight innings. Joakim Soria earned his 16th save in 18 chances.

Detroit finished with 10 hits after getting 18 on Saturday. The middle of the order - Cespedes, Tyler Collins and Martinez - combined for eight hits and six RBIs.

''I don't know if we're over the hump, but it feels a lot better than it did a few days ago,'' manager Brad Ausmus said.

The Tigers rallied with three runs in the sixth. Cespedes cut Detroit's deficit to 4-3 with a solo shot, his eighth. Two batters later, Martinez hit a two-run drive, his 10th.

Cespedes added an RBI single in the eighth.

''There's too much talent in this clubhouse for this to be our team,'' Martinez said. ''We're just going to ride through it.''

Avisail Garcia hit a three-run homer for the last-place White Sox. Jeff Samardzija (4-4) allowed six runs and 10 hits in 7 1-3 innings.

''I put that on myself. (You) get four runs, you've got to take advantage of that and hold them to less than that and get the win,'' Samardzija said.

Collins' RBI single put the Tigers ahead in the first.

Garcia connected in the bottom half. All the runs were unearned after first baseman Miguel Cabrera committed a two-out fielding error.

Martinez's RBI single cut into the cushion in the fourth. The White Sox doubled up Martinez at first base on a fly to right. He said he lost track of the number of outs.

''That's unacceptable on my part,'' he said. ''That's a mental mistake.''

Simon settled down to retire his final 12 batters. He has two victories in seven starts after beginning the season with four consecutive wins.

''His pitches came around the second half of his outing,'' Ausmus said. ''His command was better, his fastball got better, his split was better and down more. The cutter was really the one pitch that stood out the last three innings.''

NOTABLE

Cabrera extended his on-base streak to 26 games, the longest active run in the majors.

SWITCHING IT UP

Tigers RHP Shane Greene (4-5, 5.40 ERA) is expected to start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs instead of LHP Kyle Ryan (1-0, 2.70). The decision is based on matchups. Ausmus noted the Cubs have several dangerous right-handed hitters.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: The team has not announced when RHP Justin Verlander (triceps strain) will make his next start. Verlander struck out nine and allowed an unearned run in 5 2-3 innings Saturday in possibly his final rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo. Ausmus said Verlander was feeling good.

White Sox: LHP Dan Jennings went on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation on the left side of his neck. The move is retroactive to Friday. He is 1-2 with a 7.83 ERA in 22 relief appearances. ... Chicago purchased the contract of RHP Junior Guerra from Triple-A Charlotte. Guerra has yet to appear in the majors. He was 2-6 with a 2.72 ERA in 12 games between Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 5.69 ERA) will start Tuesday to open a two-game interleague series against the Cubs.

White Sox: LHP Chris Sale (5-2, 3.27) starts Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the Houston Astros.