Tigers Drop Heartbreaker, Lose Second Straight to White Sox

The Detroit Tigers dropped a heartbreaker late to the division-leading Chicago White Sox, falling 4.5 games back from the division lead with just 39 games remaining. The Tigers remain tied for the final wild-card spot with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, who both play later Saturday night.

Detroit climbed back to tie the game, but costly baserunning mistakes and poor pitching from the top man in the rotation ultimately led to a second straight loss to the White Sox.

In a series that was set to be the best of the season for Tigers fans, things have soured quickly. Now, Detroit will look to avoid a sweep Sunday afternoon.

Here are my top three stars from the Tigers despite the heartbreaking 4-3 loss.

In his first game as a Detroit Tiger, Julks lined a double to lead off the fifth inning and later came around to score on a Gleyber Torres double, tying the game at 3-3.

A strong debut for Julks, who immediately made an impact in the Tigers' lineup.

Torres singled in the third inning before coming through with a game-tying RBI double in the fifth inning, scoring Julks from second base.

It was a huge, impactful hit, although Torres was doubled up on a lineout from the next batter.

Torres added another single in the eighth inning to finish with three hits on the afternoon.

A first-inning 3-1 count led to a drive up the middle from Valencia for an RBI single, scoring Hao-Yu Lee from second base.

Then, in the fourth inning, Valencia unloaded on a pull shot and continued to smash the guts out of the ball every time he connected.

Valencia's solo shot was his sixth home run of the season and pulled the Tigers back within one run at 3-2.

The Tigers' new "ace" was on the bump for Game 2 against the division-leading White Sox, coming off a stretch in which he had not allowed an earned run in 23 days.

But for the second day in a row, the White Sox struck first.

A Sam Antonacci double, a Munetaka Murakami walk and a two-out Braden Montgomery hit put Chicago on the board, giving the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the first.

All three innings, the White Sox had the leadoff hitter reach base.

In the third inning, a leadoff double led to a rough inning when Montgomery drove a ball down the right-field line, scoring two White Sox runners and giving Chicago a 3-1 lead.

Melton ultimately went just 4.1 innings, allowing nine total hits and one walk. He allowed three earned runs while striking out just four.

Not the best day for Melton.

Sommers went 2.0 innings and was cruising until the seventh inning, when he allowed two hits and a run, giving Chicago the lead at 4-3 late.

Lee had one of the more entertaining singles you'll see in the first inning.

His tip-drill, rolling infield hit hugged the foul line and never separated from it. Lee eventually came around to score on a Valencia single, tying the game at 1-1.

McGonigle drew a walk in the first inning.

Struggling — with an emphasis on struggle.

It's been a rough slump for the catcher. Dingler is now 0-for-26 in his last 26 at-bats with no walks, while he is just 1-for-34 with two walks over his last 34 at-bats.

The ex-Tiger has been DFA'd, traded, then DFA'd again — all within the last two and a half weeks.

On Saturday, Rogers made his return to Comerica Park, but this time as one of the newest Chicago White Sox.

Rogers bunted into a double play thanks to a phenomenal play involving Melton, Lee at third base and Torres covering first.

Detroit will look to avoid the sweep Sunday with Drew Anderson on the bump and potentially a last-ditch saving grace to stay within striking distance of the division lead.