Major League Baseball

Tigers end 8-game losing streak, beat White Sox behind Price

Published Jun. 6, 2015 10:30 p.m. ET

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CHICAGO (AP) The Detroit Tigers felt a sense of relief as they broke out of their offensive funk and ended their eight-game losing streak.

Miguel Cabrera's two-run home run in the fifth inning snapped the Tigers out of their slump. They went on to score five runs that inning, routing the White Sox 7-1 on Saturday.

''It felt like everyone was exhaling a little bit,'' Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

David Price struck out 11 in a five-hitter as the four-time AL Central champion Tigers stopped their worst skid since 2005 and avoided falling below .500 for the first time this year.

''We knew they were going to break out of it,'' Price said. ''We've been hitting balls hard even though we've been struggling.''

Detroit finished with 18 hits after averaging 2.75 runs per game during their slide. Cabrera hit his 12th home run, and all nine starters contributed at least one hit.

Price (5-2) struck out seven straight batters in the middle innings. He walked two in his 13th career complete game and second of the season.

''He was outstanding. He gave us exactly what we needed,'' Ausmus said.

Price worked with extra rest after throwing a season-high 121 pitches in 7 2-3 innings Sunday against the Angels.

''I don't add any extra pressure on myself,'' Price said. ''However many games we've lost in a row before today, it was a good day to end it.''

He also benefited from three double plays.

''It's phenomenal,'' Price said of the defense. ''That game could have been completely different.''

John Danks (3-5) gave up five runs and 11 hits in 4 2-3 innings.

The Tigers scored five times on seven hits in the fifth. Cabrera's homer ended a string of 13 consecutive scoreless innings for Danks.

''I felt good,'' Danks said. ''I made a bad pitch to Miggy - he's the best hitter in the game - and the ball just got up.''

James McCann followed with an RBI double, and Josh Wilson and Jose Iglesias added RBI singles. That trio, the last three batters in the Detroit lineup, combined for 10 hits.

Iglesias and J.D. Martinez added RBI doubles.

''It was good to see two-out hits, two-out run production, two-out RBIs, extra-base hits,'' Ausmus said. ''We did a lot of good things offensively that we haven't seen much of in recent days.''

Alexei Ramirez doubled in the third for the lone White Sox run.

KEY MOMENT

The scoreboard displayed the following message as Cabrera was up to bat in the fifth: ''Won the AL Triple Crown in 2012 . American Pharoah Won Racing's Triple Crown Today.'' Cabrera proceeded to homer. He has reached base in 25 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors.

NOTABLES

Wilson matched his career high of four hits. .Price's seven consecutive strikeouts were two shy of Doug Fister's AL record of nine in 2012 against the Royals.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (triceps strain) struck out nine and allowed a run and four hits in 5 2-3 innings in likely his final rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Saturday. He is expected to rejoin the team next week. The date of his next start has yet to be announced. ... RHP Bruce Rondon (biceps tendinitis) allowed four runs in an inning in possibly his final rehab appearance with Toledo on Saturday. ... DH Victor Martinez (left knee inflammation) has been working out at extended spring training and is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday to be evaluated.

White Sox: OF Melky Cabrera had the day off. He is hitting .197 in his last 27 games.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Alfredo Simon (5-3, 2.97) will pitch the series finale. He gave up three runs in five innings in his last start against the White Sox on May 6.

White Sox: RHP Jeff Samardzija (4-3, 4.68) will start Sunday. He allowed nine runs in a season-low five innings against the Rangers in his last start.

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