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 Samardzija threw seven strong innings and the White Sox ended their
five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on
Tuesday. Samardzija allowed two runs and seven hits while striking
out seven for the White Sox, who were coming off a four-game sweep
in Minnesota when they were outscored 31-8. For Samardzija (2-2), it
was a needed recovery from his previous start, when he allowed eight
runs (seven earned) in five innings against the Orioles in front of
no fans at Camden Yards.
"It was just a good night for him. He picked us up big," manager
Robin Ventura said. "The way last week's gone, for him to go out and
compete and give us that kind of performance, great. That's what he
was brought here to do and he did it and it was a big boost for us."
It was also a painful night for Samardzija.
With runners on first and second and two outs in the seventh,
Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler lined a ball off the right
forearm under the elbow of Samardzija, who recovered to throw out
Kinsler at first to end the inning. Ventura said Samardzija
underwent an x-ray after the game though the right-hander seemed OK.
Samardzija was in good spirits after the game though he was sporting
a red mark where the ball hit him -- complete with the imprints of
the ball's seams.
"I'm good," Samardzija said. "If (Chicago Blackhawks defenseman
Brent) Seabrook can stay in the game taking a puck off the face, I
can stay in the game with a ball off the arm."
Third baseman Conor Gillaspie's two-run triple capped a four-run
third against Detroit starter Shane Greene (3-2).
Reliever David Robertson picked up his fourth save for Chicago,
which scored five runs for the first time since April 26 against the
Kansas City Royals.
While the White Sox bounced back from their recent struggles, Greene
(3-2) couldn't turn around his recent woes. Greene went 2 2/3
innings, allowing five runs, five hits, and four walks.
"He worked on some things (mechanically), thought he found some
things in between this start and the last start," Tigers manager
Brad Ausmus said. "I've already talked to (Tigers pitching coach
Jeff Jones), we have some ideas where to go from here."
In his last three appearances, Greene has given up 20 earned runs in
11 innings and saw his earned-run average balloon to 5.56. Acquired
this offseason from the New York Yankees, Greene won his first three
decisions but has dropped two of his last three starts for the
Tigers.
Catcher Alex Avila's second-inning home run gave the Tigers a 2-1
lead but Greene couldn't keep control of Chicago, leading to
Detroit's third loss in five games.
"This isn't the first time it's ever happened to me. Probably won't
be the last," Greene said. "Just got to keep working."
The Tigers took that 1-0 lead when center fielder Anthony Gose
scored on Kinsler's single in the first.
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Chicago tied the game in the bottom half of the first on an RBI
single by first baseman Jose Abreu.
Avila gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead with two outs in the second on his
second home run that popped out of right fielder Melky Cabrera's
glove and over the fence.
Greene allowed four runs in the third that allowed the White Sox to
take a 5-2 lead.
Second baseman Micah Johnson led off with an infield single, and
after Eaton grounded out, Greene walked three straight, including
designated hitter Adam LaRoche with the bases loaded to even the
game. Right fielder Avisail Garcia's fielder's choice gave Chicago
the 3-2 lead, and Gillaspie followed with a two-run triple, ending
Greene's night.
It also propelled Chicago to a win it needed. After their recent
troubles, serious questions have been asked about the White Sox and
what direction they're heading.
Samardzija, though, doesn't seem too worried.
"We're going to turn this thing around. We're going to force it to
turn around and we've got the guys to do it," Samardzija said.
"There shouldn't be any worries."
NOTES: Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (right triceps) underwent his
third MRI on Tuesday. Verlander hasn't pitched this season and said
he's "itching" to get back. ... INF Jose Iglesias (left groin
tightness) wasn't in the lineup. Manager Brad Ausmus said he had
Iglesias in the lineup but took him out because of a possibility the
field could be wet. ... Ausmus said RHP Bruce Rondon (right biceps)
will be transferred from Lakeland, Fla., to Detroit on Friday to
continue his rehab. ... Chicago general manager Rick Hahn was asked
about the status of manager Robin Ventura and said, "I don't think
it's appropriate to sit here and say 'This guy is getting sent to
the minors' or 'That guy is getting traded' or 'This guy is going to
be replaced.'" ... OF Adam Eaton (illness) was back in the lineup
after missing Chicago's previous three games. ... RHP Matt Albers
(right pinkie) will be out 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery last
week for an injury suffered during Chicago's fight with Kansas City.
... In Wednesday's game, Tigers RHP Alfredo Simon (4-1, 3.13 ERA) is
expected to face White Sox LHP Chris Sale (2-1, 5.32 ERA).
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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