Murakami hit a three-run home run in the first inning and that is all the White Sox needed to beat the Tigers
The Chicago White Sox (78-75) got all the offense they needed early with a three-run homer from Munetaka Murakami to beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 (72-81).
The White Sox put up three runs in the first inning and that was enough to win the game. Chase Meidroth reached on an infield single, Tommy Pham walked, and then Murakami hit a 423-foot blast to give the White a 3-0 lead.
This also continued the struggles for Tiger starter Framber Valdez in the first inning. All season he has had trouble finding success in the first frame.
Max Clark started the third inning with being hit by a pitch. John Peck then singled and Kevin McGonigle walked that loaded the bases. Gleyber Torres then grounded out to third base that scored Clark and made the score 3-1.
Erick Fedde, the starting pitcher for the White Sox, worked 4.2 innings, four hits, one earned run, two walks, and six strikeouts.
On the flip side, Valdez settled down for the Tigers even if it wasn’t pretty. He pitched 5 innings, allowed three hits, three earned runs, four walks, and eight strikeouts.
The Tigers did threaten to score in the eighth inning. Brett Callahan walked with two outs with Clark coming to the plate next. Clark hit a grounder to third base that he beat out at first base, but Callahan tried advancing to third base and was thrown out. A baserunning mistake that should not have been made with two outs.
Both bullpens pitched well, neither side gave up a run in relief.
Jacob Waguespack, and Ty Madden finished the game for the Tigers, giving them a chance to try to make a comeback.
Bryan Hudson, Jordan Hicks, and Grant Taylor, closed the game out for the White Sox.
