CHICAGO _ The Tigers rolled into U.S. Cellular Field this week looking to solidify their positioning for a playoff spot, but the White Sox put a crimp in their plans.
The Sox used a four-run eighth inning to pull away for a 7-4 victory Wednesday, winning their first series against the Tigers since June 13-15. The Sox finished the year 7-12 against them, winning the last two games to push the Tigers a game behind the Orioles for the second American League wild-card spot.
Playing in a steamy, largely empty ballpark with a playoff shot all but officially eliminated, the Sox strung together five hits and a walk against Tigers relievers Shane Greene and Justin Wilson in the eighth. Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who started the run with the last of his three hits, said the Sox remain focused on winning despite their 67-72 record.
"Right now, we don't have the 'E' of elimination (next to) our name," Abreu said through a team interpreter. "I know that the situation for us is very complicated, is very hard. Probably, we aren't going to make the playoffs. But our desire every single day is to try to win games no matter who the opponent is, who the rival is."
Jose Quintana allowed four earned runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over 62/3 innings, most of the damage coming on Justin Upton's three-run homer in the second.
The game was delayed 40 minutes because of the potential of a storm in the area, though it never rained. When the game started, Quintana retired the side on six pitches.
But he gave up singles to Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez to start the second before Upton's shot to left field. After striking out the first two batters of the seventh, Quintana issued a walk and a single before Jose Iglesias' ground-rule, RBI double to left field tied it and drove him from the game.
Chris Beck earned the victory with 11/3 scoreless innings and David Robertson picked up his 35th save.
"It wasn't my best day, but I tried to keep fighting," Quintana said. "My breaking ball didn't have good command today so I used more of my fastball. But that happens sometimes and I'll try to work on it and come back for the next time."
Melky Cabrera had RBIs in the first and third off Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Justin Morneau drove in Abreu with a double in the eighth, and Avisail Garcia, Tyler Saladino and Adam Eaton added RBI singles.
"It feels good for the guys to come through and at least (Quintana) doesn't get a loss out of that," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "(The Tigers) got him there in the seventh, but it was a well-pitched game by him."
