Matt Vierling and Riley Greene each drove in a run as the host Detroit Tigers clinched their first playoff berth in 10 seasons with a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
The White Sox (39-121) set the modern day record for most losses in a single season, surpassing the expansion 1962 New York Mets. The Tigers, who won their sixth straight game, secured an American League wild-card berth.
Detroit (86-74) holds a one-game lead over Kansas City (85-75) for the second AL wild card. The Royals also clinched a playoff berth on Friday despite losing 3-0 to the Atlanta Braves. The Royals would win the tiebreaker if they finish level with the Tigers.
Detroit opener Brenan Hanifee allowed one hit in two scoreless innings. Brant Hurter (6-1) gave up one run on two hits over the next four frames.
Will Vest, Tyler Holton and Jason Foley held Chicago scoreless in the last three innings to clinch the victory. Foley retired the only batter he faced for his 28th save.
Chicago starter Garrett Crochet tossed four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out six. Zach DeLoach hit his first career homer in the top of the sixth.
Detroit broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning against Jared Shuster (2-5). Walks to Jake Rogers and Andy Ibanez, sandwiching a Parker Meadows bloop single, loaded the bases with no outs. Rogers scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch before Vierling hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Meadows.
DeLoach pulled the White Sox within 2-1 on his two-out blast to right field in the sixth.
The Tigers added two more in the seventh.
Ibanez lashed a one-out double to left-center and reached third on center fielder Dominic Fletcher’s error. Fraser Ellard intentionally walked Vierling before Greene ripped a double to center to score Ibanez. Vierling later scored on another wild pitch.
DeLoach had a ground-rule double in the top of the first and reached third on a groundout. He was left stranded when Andrew Vaughn popped out.
Vierling had a one-out double in the bottom of the inning before Crochet struck out the next two batters.
The Tigers threatened in the fourth inning after Greene singled, Wenceel Perez reached on an infield hit and Spencer Torkelson drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Trey Sweeney grounded out to end the inning.
–Field Level Media
