DETROIT -- Call it a bounce-back from a rough series loss at home to the Reds. Call it a statement game.
Or maybe don’t get so complicated. The 9-5 victory claimed by the White Sox over the Tigers on Friday night at Comerica Park simply supported their American League Central leadership for 62 days and since July 4.
As Ric Flair once said, to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. And the White Sox (63-58) weren’t letting that happen, moving their division lead to 3 1/2 games.
“I don't know if it's a statement game. It's a win that we're happy about,” said White Sox manager Will Venable, who is not big on giving bulletin board material for opposing teams. “[And we're] certainly [glad to do that] against the Tigers, who are so tough to beat and a team that has given us a bunch of problems in the past. It was really nice to have a good all-around game, both on the pitching side, defensively and, obviously, offensively the guys came to hit.”
“We know that this week means a lot for us,” third baseman Miguel Vargas said. “We are playing Cleveland, we are playing Detroit. We all know how important it is when you play the division. We delivered tonight and it’s great to have the 'W.'”
Detroit grabbed a 3-1 lead going into the fourth, scoring two in the second and one in the third off José Urquidy, who earned the victory while making his White Sox debut. But that advantage quickly evaporated during a five-run fourth for the South Siders.
Chase Meidroth singled to right off Tigers starter Jackson Jobe to start the rally, followed by Tristan Peters’ two-run blast. The All-Star center fielder entered the night with a .119/.231/.164 slash line since the All-Star break and only three doubles in the extra-base category. Peters had gone 85 plate appearances without going deep.
Two outs later, that Detroit lead was gone as Munetaka Murakami connected on a 3-0 pitch for his 27th home run. Murakami holds the rookie record for single-season homers by a Japanese-born player, and while his on-base streak ended at 27 Thursday with a pinch-hit strikeout, he started a new one.
Friday’s Statcast-projected 392-foot drive also marked Murakami’s first career homer on a 3-0 count.
“There's probably been twice this year that we haven't ... given him the green light,” said Venable of Murakami hitting in 3-0 counts. “It's just more situational-based, late in the game where we're down multiple runs. Otherwise, he's got the green light.”
“In the previous [times], when I had a 3-0 count, I kind of hit a fly ball to center,” said Murakami through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “I just really got into that at-bat. Not just trying to swing it, and hit it hard.”
Braden Montgomery, who had three hits, completed the go-ahead push with a two-run triple. Vargas homered in the sixth, his 26th, leaving him a triple short of the cycle.
Instead of completing that major offensive moment, Vargas added his 27th long ball in the eighth. It was the ninth time this season Murakami and Vargas homered in the same game, one off the team record for a pair of teammates (which has been done three times, most recently by Luis Robert Jr. and Jake Burger in 2023).
“For us to win games, we're going to have to slug,” Venable said. “We've seen these guys find other ways to do it, as well. But I think it was really nice, especially to see from Vargas -- as the power, I don't want to say has evaded him recently. The homer against Cincy, and some good swings.
“We're used to Vargy doing that every day. And so for him to get back to who he is has been nice. And [Peters], the same thing. Mune got one, a really good job. Braden had a great game, so a lot of good stuff.”
Urquidy (1-1) allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings, striking out three, as he followed opener Sean Newcomb on the mound. The White Sox also claimed a 4-3 season series edge on the Tigers (60-62).
By remaining the lone team above .500 in the division, the White Sox streak of seasons with 100 or more losses ended at three. Even with the big things ahead for this talented team, that accomplishment is meaningful.
“One hundred percent. 100 percent,” Vargas said. “You guys know I’ve been here for two years and I know how important this season is for us. Not just for us but for the entire organization. It’s a big turnaround for us and we are in a great position right now.”