DETROIT — One major reason the Chicago White Sox sit atop the American League Central standings is their ability to hit the ball out of the park. The power was on display during the opener of an important three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Tristan Peters hit a game-tying two-run home run in the fourth. And with two outs in the inning, Munetaka Murakami broke that tie with a majestic solo home run. Braden Montgomery added a two-run triple — one of his three hits in the game — for good measure during the five-run frame, and the Sox topped the Tigers 9-5 on Friday in front of 39,638 at Comerica Park. Chicago White Sox place struggling starter Davis Martin on the 15-day IL with a blister on his right hand Miguel Vargas added a two-run blast in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth to conclude the four-homer night for the Sox. “That’s part of who we are,” manager Will Venable said. “For us to win games, we’re going to have to slug. 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 (Tuesday) against (Cincinnati), and some good swings. “But we’re used to (Vargas) doing that every day. And so for him to get back to who he is has been nice. And (Peters), the same thing. (Murakami) got one, a really good job. Braden had a great game, so a lot of good stuff.” The victory was the 63rd of the season for the Sox, assuring the franchise will avoid 100 losses in a season for the first time since 2022 — they lost 101 in 2023, an MLB record 121 in 2024 and 102 last season. More importantly, the Sox (63-58) opened up a 3½-game lead in the American League Central over the second-place Tigers (60-62). “You guys know I’ve been here for two years (traded to the team in July 2024) and I know how important this season is for us,” Vargas said. “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.” José Urquidy provided length as the bulk pitcher for the Sox, allowing three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 3 2/3 innings following opener Sean Newcomb’s 1 1/3 scoreless innings. “That’s my purpose every outing out there, throwing strikes and don’t walk guys and put hitters away,” Urquidy said. “That’s my goal.” He was credited with the win on the day he was called up from Triple-A Charlotte. “Urquidy is going to throw strikes,” Venable said. “He’s going to throw some pitches, mix it up, and with that comes some hits too. I thought he did a really good job, just continuing to compete in the zone, and did his job. Got us to a spot where we really liked (Huascar Brazobán) right there (in the sixth inning). “Probably had more in the tank, but he did his job and was excellent today.” Urquidy surrendered a two-run home run to Ben Malgeri in the second inning and an RBI double to Eduardo Valencia in the third as the Tigers took a 3-1 lead. The Sox responded in a big way in the fourth. Chase Meidroth led off with a single. Peters then drilled a first-pitch fastball from Tigers starter Jackson Jobe over the right-field wall for the tying two-run home run, his seventh of the season. Jobe retired the next two batters but then went to a 3-0 count on Murakami. The Sox gave him the green light, and he let loose for a 392-foot home run to right field. It was his 27th. “I just really got into that at-bat,” Murakami said through an interpreter. “Not just trying to swing it. And hit it hard.” Vargas followed with a double and Andrew Benintendi walked. Braden Montgomery knocked them both in with his triple to right field, giving the Sox a 6-3 lead. That was the last batter for Jobe, who allowed six runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 3 2/3 innings. He hit two batters. Related Articles
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Murakami walked ahead of Vargas’ two-run home run against reliever Enmanuel De Jesus in the sixth, stretching the lead to 8-3. Vargas increased his home run total to 27 with the solo shot off reliever Ty Madden in the eighth. “I know I’ve been a little bit of (struggling) at the plate lately, but I just try to be every night the best I can be and compete at the highest level and try to help my team to win,” said Vargas, who went 3-for-19 in the previous six-game homestand. “Just some time it’s how baseball works. You hit the ball good, you get caught. It’s part of baseball, I guess. For me, (to) have a game like this tonight means a lot for me.” The Sox entered Friday third in the American League with 157 home runs. They had a major-league-leading 26 home runs since July 26 and picked the perfect opportunity to add to that total while striking first in the series. “We all know how important it is when you play the division,” Vargas said. “We delivered tonight and it’s great to have the ‘W.’ “