DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 20: Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting a grand slam against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on September 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Gett …
DETROIT - Eloy Jiménez hit a grand slam in the fourth inning, and Yoán Moncada also went deep for Chicago as the White Sox breezed to a 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
Tim Anderson had two more hits in his pursuit of the American League batting title, and the White Sox chased Jordan Zimmermann (1-12) in the fourth. The Detroit right-hander allowed several hard-hit balls and received little help from his defense, which made three errors in the first four innings.
Dylan Cease (4-7) allowed a run and five hits in six innings — the first quality start for the White Sox since Sept. 6. Cease struck out eight with two walks.
Moncada's two-run homer in the third put the White Sox up 4-0. The Tigers intentionally walked him the following inning to load the bases, and Jiménez followed with a drive to right for the rookie outfielder's 29th home run of the year. That made the score 9-1 and ended Zimmermann's outing. He allowed nine runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Anderson entered the day leading DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees by six points in the AL batting race. The Chicago infielder doubled and singled Friday and raised his average from .335 to .336.
Detroit (45-108) is likely to pick first in the draft for the second time in three years. The Tigers have baseball's worst record, and the closest team to them is Baltimore, which won Friday to move 4 ½ games above Detroit.
Jiménez finished a double shy of the cycle, and Yolmer Sanchez had four hits for Chicago.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: Chicago put RHP Dylan Covey (right shoulder inflammation) on the injured list, retroactive to Monday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Ivan Nova (10-12) is slated to start for Chicago in the second game of this series.
Tigers: Tyler Alexander (1-3) takes the mound for Detroit.