CHICAGO (AP) — Daz Cameron' homered leading off the ninth to spark a three-run inning, and the Detroit Tigers closed their fifth straight losing season with a 5-2 win over the AL Central champion Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
The Tigers finished third at 77-85, 16 games behind the White Sox (93-69), whose six-game winning streak was ended.
After winning the division for the first time since 2008, the White Sox open the Division Series on Thursday at AL West champion Houston. Chicago swept the 2005 World Series, when the Astros were in the NL. This series will feature a match-up of long-time rivals Tony La Russa and Dusty Baker.
With the scored tied in the ninth, Cameron drove a 2-0 pitch from Reynaldo Lopez (4-4) over the right-field fence for his fourth homer of the season and a 3-2 lead. Two batters later, Dustin Garneau had an RBI double and Akil Baddoo caped the rally with a sacrifice fly.
Joe Jiménez (6-1) worked a scoreless eighth and Michael Fulmer got three outs for his 14th save in 18 chances.
Chicago's José Abreu entered the game four RBIs behind the major-league lead, but was given the day off. Manager Tony La Russa said Abreu has been battling an illness and it didn't make sense to push him. Abreu finished with 30 homers, 117 RBIs and a .261 batting average.
LUCKY MAN
La Russa totally dismissed the issue when he was asked before the game whether he deserved to be voted AL Manager of the Year for leading the White Sox to a division title in his first season.
“I walked into a situation where any manager would have paid money to manage this team,” La Russa said. “Every day I realize how lucky I am. It's been an amazing experience.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch believes his young team made significant strides.
“In general, our guys believe they should win today,” Hunch said. “Our players' belief matters to me more than spin rate or more than an adjustment at the plate or more than baserunning aggressiveness. Our belief needs to be here before we can accomplish anything.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: OF Derek Hill (left knee) visited a specialist in San Francisco last week to determine whether or not he'll need a surgical procedure. “I don't know yet,” Hinch said. “We'll know more on Tuesday.”
White Sox: LHP Carlos Rodón, who's been bothered by shoulder soreness, will throw a bullpen Tuesday that could determine his availability for the postseason. In his last start on Wednesday, Rodón allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings, but his fastball averaged just 90.9 mph — down significantly from his season averaged of 95.4 mph. The 28-year-old Rodon is 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA this season.
UP NEXT
Tigers: open the 2022 season on March 31 at Seattle Mariners.
White Sox: play Game 1 of ALDS at Houston Astros on Thursday.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.