White Sox down Tigers, put losing streak to rest

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Conor Gillaspie picked up a pair of hits including a key two-run triple, and the Chicago White Sox clipped Detroit, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game set.

Jose Abreu, Adam LaRoche and Avisail Garcia each drove in a run for the White Sox, who put a season-high five-game losing skid to rest as they opened up a six-game homestand.

Jeff Samardzija (2-2) worked seven full frames, giving up seven hits and a pair of runs with seven strikeouts. David Robertson turned in a scoreless ninth to notch his fourth save.

"(Samardzija) picked us up big," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "That's what he was brought here to do."

Ian Kinsler posted two hits and an RBI while Alex Avila homered for the Tigers, who had won two in a row at Kansas City to snag a series split.

Shane Greene (3-2) lasted only 2 2/3 innings, charged with five runs on as many hits while walking four.

The Tigers jumped to a 2-1 lead on Avila's two-out solo homer in the second, before Chicago seized momentum with a four-run third.

"The four-run inning is obviously what hurt us," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "(Greene) had trouble throwing strikes."

A single by Micah Johnson and walks to Melky Cabrera and Abreu loaded the bases with one out, then LaRoche drew a free pass to force in the tying run. Garcia grounded into a fielder's choice which scored another, before Gillaspie followed by tripling to right center which scored two more for a 5-2 game.

Samardzija worked out of a jam in the fifth, striking out Miguel Cabrera with runners on the corners. He had a quiet sixth and stranded two in the seventh by inducing a comebacker off the bat of Ian Kinsler.

Zach Duke tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Robertson worked around a Johnson error to maintain the winning margin.

Kinsler singled home Anthony Gose in the first, and Abreu plated Adam Eaton with a base hit in the home half.

Game Notes

Chicago played its first 17 games and will play 24 of its first 25 vs. American League Central opponents, improving to 9-13 so far ... Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez entered tonight's game hitting .328 with 34 doubles, 25 home runs and 100 RBI in 166 career games against the White Sox, but finished 0-for-4 on Tuesday ... In nine previous starts vs. AL Central opponents, Greene had compiled a 5-2 record, 3.81 ERA and 43 strikeouts.