DETROIT — The last time the Tigers were no-hit in this city, first baseman Norm Cash brought a table leg from the home clubhouse at Tiger Stadium to the batter’s box in the ninth inning before being told he needed a bat. The way Nolan Ryan was pitching that day, he reportedly told plate umpire Ron Luciano, it didn’t matter.
Like Ryan that day, Carlos Rodón was looking for his second no-hitter of the season as the White Sox lefty plowed through Detroit’s lineup on Sunday at Comerica Park. He wasn’t quite as nasty as the Ryan Express, but he wasn’t far off. Not only did he hold the Tigers hitless for 6 1/3 innings, Detroit barely had solid contact off him.
Eric Haase’s one-out double saved the Tigers from infamy, but did little to slow the White Sox from a series sweep in Detroit’s 4-1 loss. The three-game set, much like the season series to date, was a reminder that while the Tigers are playing competitive baseball after their slow start, including against the AL Central leaders, they still have some improvement to do to close the gap on the pack in the division.
The Tigers have lost eight of 10 to the White Sox this year, and 17 of 20 since the start of last season.