The Detroit Tigers aimed to level the score in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox. However, a pitch from Sean Burke evaded catcher Kyle Teel, allowing Riley Greene to attempt a run home. The Chicago White Sox found the sequence suspicious and requested a review.
Manager Will Venable noted, “Just kind of collectively looked like a funky play where we weren’t quite sure, maybe it’s even a foul ball.” A video review revealed the pitch hit batter Brett Callahan, rendering the play dead. Callahan’s at-bat continued, and Greene returned to third with bases loaded.
“It’s almost like getting another life back,” pitcher Sean Burke said. “Once that happens, it’s just bearing down and making a pitch.”
Burke struck out Callahan, providing a pivotal moment in the Sox’s 3-1 victory at Rate Field witnessed by 30,631 fans. Venable praised Burke, saying, “One of those days where you really need (Burke) to step up and have a good outing.” Burke conceded one run on five hits over six innings, striking out five and walking three in his 97-pitch performance.
This marked Burke as the first Sox pitcher since August 21 to have a quality start, then against the New York Mets. “I knew where we were at bullpen-wise and (Tigers starter Jackson) Jobe’s a pretty good arm,” Burke explained. “Just showing up today and knowing that’s what I’ve got to do.”
The White Sox gained a two-game lead over the Houston Astros for the final American League wildcard spot with seven games left. They trail the Cleveland Guardians — who also won Saturday — by one game for first place in the AL Central. Burke added, “We’ve got seven games left and these games are important for the position we’re in.”
The game, originally set for an evening start, was moved due to weather forecasts. Burke adapted well, drawing offensive and defensive support from Miguel Vargas throughout the afternoon.
White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas shone brightly, going 1-for-2, drawing two walks, hitting a solo home run, and scoring twice. Vargas’s first-inning walk, coupled with a stolen base, led to a run scored on a Munetaka Murakami single. This made Vargas the first player in Sox history to achieve 30 doubles (31), 30 home runs (33), 20 stolen bases, and 100 runs (101) in a season.
“It’s what he’s done all year,” Venable remarked. “Certainly a great day to point to on his growth.”
In the fourth inning, Vargas showcased strong defense by diving to stop a hard-hit grounder by Dillon Dingler, preventing a scoring opportunity.
The Tigers tied the score the next inning with a Kevin McGonigle sacrifice fly. The Sox regained their lead in the fifth when Braden Montgomery scored on Sam Antonacci’s sacrifice fly. Vargas extended the lead to 3-1 with his 33rd home run of the season in the sixth inning.
Relievers Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor ensured the Sox maintained their lead. Schultz struck out four across 1 2/3 scoreless innings, expressing his focus on securing wins. Taylor secured his 10th save, efficiently closing the game.
“This is what this team is about,” Vargas reflected. “We never give up. We always come back and battle the next day.”