Spencer Torkelson hit a three-run homer during a five-run seventh inning, helping the Detroit Tigers defeat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 on Monday night. This win completed a four-game sweep and left the White Sox, who have the worst record in the majors, at 31-101.
Parker Meadows started the seventh inning with a homer off Jared Shuster (1-3), tying the game at 2-2. Jace Jung then hit a single that gave the Tigers the lead. Torkelson followed with a 439-foot home run to center field off Justin Anderson, making the score 6-2.
“There’s always that belief,” Torkelson said, who turned 25 on Monday. “When you’ve got a lineup like ours, we’re really gritty and we never take an at-bat for granted. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got on every single pitch, and that’s a really tough thing to face as a pitching staff.
When you have nine guys putting together really good at-bats, it’s probably exhausting. We always feel like we’re in the fight, we’re never out of it.”
The White Sox have lost eight of their last nine games and have recorded their 31st blown save, the most in the majors. They have only won four of their last 38 games.
Torkelson finished 3 for 5, missing a triple for the cycle. The Tigers (66-66) reached a .500 record for the first time since June 7 and have won 11 of their last 14 games.
“We want to play winning baseball,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Obviously, we’ve had to do a lot to get to this point, but it’s just this point. The season’s not over. It hasn’t been over. There’s been a lot of conversation around this team. It’s changed, and we’re going to continue to show up ready to play, every day.”
Detroit right-hander Ty Madden allowed two runs, one earned, in five innings during his major league debut. The 24-year-old gave up four hits and three walks.
