Detroit (July 9) - Pat Kelly's RBI single capped a stunning four-run ninth inning rally, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Tigers, 9-8, at Tiger Stadium Wednesday night.
The Tigers entered the ninth with an 8-5 lead, thanks to Jack Pierce's three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth. Pierce's blast was in response to Chicago scoring twice in their half of the eighth to tie the game, 5-5.
Chicago jumped on Tigers starter Ray Bare with three runs in the first inning.
The Tigers took a 5-3 lead with three runs in the fifth.
In the ninth, Hiller allowed a single and a walk to start the frame. The fans got restless as the Tigers closer, who has battled inconsistency all season, got into immediate trouble. But after Jerry Hairston flied out for the second out, Hiller still had the 8-5 lead, albeit with the bases loaded.
But the next three White Sox hitters singled, leading to the four runs as the Tiger Stadium crowd of 13,567 booed lustily.
White Sox reliever Ozzy Osborn set the Tigers down in order in the ninth to cap the stunning win.
Ron LeFlore had three hits and an RBI for the Tigers.
The Tigers (32-50) travel to Kansas City for a four-game weekend series.
The Major Said: "Obviously John (Hiller) hasn't been himself this year. He takes two steps forward and one step back. You just gotta believe that he's going to find his groove and get this thing back on track. And it's not like (the White Sox) hit the ball all that hard. They hit a couple flares."
Chicago 300 000 024 9-15-0
Tigers 011 030 030 8-14-1
HR: Horton (14); Pierce (2)
WP: Osborn
LP: Hiller (3-7)
Tigers record: 32-50 (actual 36-46)
Home: 15-30
Away: 17-20
Last 10: 2-8
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