CHICAGO — Rookie Yermín Mercedes hit a game-ending single, Yasmani Grandal homered twice and the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 9-8 Friday night.
With the victory, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa tied John McGraw for second place on baseball’s career wins list with No. 2,763. The 76-year-old La Russa has a long way to go to catch Connie Mack, who won 3,731 games.
The White Sox came out on top after blowing a five-run lead.
Yoán Moncada got hit by a pitch from José Cisnero (0-3) leading off the ninth and moved to third on a single by José Abreu.
Mercedes, in an 0-for-22 skid entering the game, then lined a single to left on a 1-0 pitch. That gave the White Sox their ninth win in 12 games and set off a celebration near first base.
Grandal made it 1-0 with his home run in the second against Spencer Turnbull. Grandal tied it at 8 in the seventh with a solo shot against Bryan Garcia.
Nick Madrigal also homered for the White Sox.
Jonathan Schoop homered twice and matched a career high with four hits. He went deep leading off the sixth and cut it to cut it to 7-6 in the seventh with a three-run drive against Evan Marshall.
White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel threw six innings, allowing two runs — one earned — and five hits.
Liam Hendriks (2-1) came in runners on first and second and two outs in the ninth and retired Niko Goodrum on a fly, preserving the tie.
Turnbull left after the fourth inning because of tightness in his right forearm. The Tigers fell behind 6-1 after committing three errors in a five-run fifth, only to get right back into it.
Eric Haase added a two-run shot to put Detroit ahead 8-7 and cap a six-run outburst.
Turnbull threw just 56 pitches over four innings, allowing one run and two hits. The right-hander struck out four and did not walk a batter. But the Tigers lost to the White Sox for the 13th time in 14 games.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: ; RHP José Ureña (strained right forearm) remains on track to return from the injured list in time to start on Sunday, manager A.J. Hinch said.
White Sox: OF Andrew Vaughn could be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list as soon as Saturday, La Russa said. He said the White Sox were “waiting on one last test” and expect him to get the “green light.” The prized rookie was placed on the list on the list on Thursday. … La Russa said “everything looks good” with RHP Lance Lynn after he experienced some tightness in Thursday’s outing, and the team expects him to make his next scheduled start. … La Russa said the White Sox should have a “better read” on when OF Adam Engel will be activated by the end of the weekend. Engel, who tore his right hamstring during a spring training game, is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.
UP NEXT
White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (5-4, 3.73 ERA) looks to win his fourth straight start, while the Tigers go with LHP Tarik Skubal (2-7, 4.59). Giolito has a 1.29 ERA in his past three outings.
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