DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers (9-1) won a third straight low-scoring game Friday, topping the Chicago White Sox (3-6), 2-1, with a walkoff in the bottom of the ninth. David Price led Detroit with eight one-run innings, but earned a no-decision.
Former Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia delivered the first blow of the game with a no-doubt home run to right field off of Price in the second inning. The blast was Garcia's first on the season and the first earned run allowed by Price in over 15 innings to start the year.
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From the other dugout, Jeff Samardzija cruised through three innings in his first career start against the Tigers. But with one out in the 4th, Yoenis Cespedes connected for his first home run as a Tiger, sending a no-doubt blast over the wall in left field to tie the game.
The next four innings were all scoreless as Price and Samardzija kept the game at 1-1 through eight.
Joakim Soria took over in the 9th for Detroit and mowed down the White Sox in order. Soria hasn't allowed a hit or a walk in his last four appearances.
Nick Castellanos led off the bottom of the 9th with a line drive to right field off of reliever Zach Duke. Castellanos stretched the single into a double on a very close play at the bag, just beating Garcia's throw.
Robin Ventura came out to argue the call on the tag, but the White Sox did not challenge the play.
Alex Avila moved the pinch runner Andrew Romine to third base with a bunt, setting up Jose Iglesias for a chance to win it.
The Tigers' shortstop came through, ripping a two-strike single up the middle to win it. It was Detroit's first walkoff win of the season.
Miguel Cabrera, Anthony Gose, Iglesias and Castellanos each contributed two hits on the afternoon. Avila went 0-3 and saw his batting average drop to .190, though his on-base percentage is still at .393.
Price finished the game with nine strikeouts, two walks and four hits allowed.
The victory improves the Tigers to 9-1 on the year, matching the 1984 World Series team's 10-game start. Detroit is the only MLB team with fewer than two losses.
Anibal Sanchez takes the mound Saturday afternoon as the Tigers look to win a fourth straight series to start the season.