Detroit – Curtis Granderson’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Detroit Tigers over the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Monday night.
Chicago’s lead in the Central dropped to two games over the idle Cleveland Indians and its magic number remained at five to clinch the division. The White Sox had a 15-game lead Aug. 1, and if they fail to finish in first, it would be one of the biggest collapses in baseball history.
Brandon Inge hit two homers for the Tigers, who have won three in a row after an eight- game losing streak.
Cliff Politte (6-1) gave up the homer and Fernando Rodney (2-3) pitched the ninth for the victory.
In the eighth, the White Sox blew a chance to break a 3-all tie with runners on second and third and one out. A.J. Pierzynski struck out against Jamie Walker and Chris Spurling got the Tigers out of the jam by striking out Jermaine Dye.
Both starters gave up three runs on two-run homers and solo shots.
Chicago’s Jon Garland allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings. Detroit’s Jason Johnson gave up six hits in seven innings.
Paul Konerko’s two-run homer in the first gave the White Sox a 2-0 lead.
After stranding two runners in consecutive innings, Inge’s two-run homer in the fourth tied it at 2. Chicago went back ahead in the fifth on Joe Crede’s solo homer, his career-high 22nd.
Inge’s second home run tied it at 3 in the sixth.
Royals 5, Twins 0
Minneapolis – Rookie J.P. Howell pitched five hitless innings before he was pulled, and Angel Berroa homered as Kansas City dealt Minnesota its fourth consecutive defeat.
Andrew Sisco, Ambiorix Burgos and Jeremy Affeldt completed the three-hitter for the Royals, who snapped a five-game road losing streak. Two of their four shutouts this season have come against Minnesota.
The Twins were blanked for the 10th time this season and fell to .500 for the first time since they were 3-3 on April 10.
Howell struck out seven and walked three before he was relieved by Sisco to start the sixth. Howell (3-5) had thrown 97 pitches, including 56 for strikes, when he was lifted.
