Sept. 21--After nearly two months of struggles on the mound, White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija pitched a one-hit shutout Monday afternoon for a 2-0 victory over the Tigers at Comerica Park. Samardzija started the first game of the doubleheader with four perfect innings and didn't allow a hit until Victor Martinez singled to left field in the fifth inning. He had no walks and six strikeouts, finishing the game with 88 pitches.
At the plate
Carlos Sanchez hit a solo homer off Tigers left-hander Kyle Ryan in the sixth inning to give the Sox a 2-0 lead.
Key play
After Sanchez doubled in the third inning, he scored on Adam Eaton's RBI single to right field, sliding in to touch home plate before Tigers catcher Bryan Holaday could make the tag.
On the mound
Samardzija has a 1.85 ERA in three starts at Comerica Park this season.
Key number
3 -- Career shutouts for Samardzija. He had one this season on July 9 against Toronto.
The quote
"Obviously the best game he's pitched here this year. ... You have to be able to locate. It just looked better coming out of his hand. He felt in rhythm. Everything looked smooth coming out of his hand." -- Sox manager Robin Ventura on Samardzija
The quote 2
"On the film between starts ... we found something that was essentially tipping my pitches, half the way. When you find that, it gives you a little extra confidence that 'Hey, we can go out and make our pitches and have a good day.' " --Samardzija
Up next
At Tigers: 6:08 p.m. Tuesday, CSN.
