White Sox victory forces playoff match

CHICAGO: The Chicago White Sox forced a one-game playoff for the American League Central Division title by beating the Detroit Tigers 8-2 on Monday.

Alexei Ramirez set a rookie record with his fourth grand slam home run of the season to lead the Sox to the rainout makeup win, forcing a one-game tiebreaker against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago on Tuesday.

The winner of Tuesday's game will start the first round of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida tomorrow.

"I don't think you ever expect a one-game playoff," White Sox first baseman and team captain Paul Konerko told reporters.

"It's an oddity. We are just scrapping, fighting and trying to get to where we want to go."

Ramirez's slam keyed a five-run sixth inning rally as the White Sox made the most of just six hits. Gavin Floyd (17-8) pitched six solid innings on three days rest for the victory.

"Our situation is great," Linebrink said. "We fought for this and earned it.

"One hundred and sixty-two (games weren't) enough so we need one extra, and we wouldn't have it any other way."

Chicago and Minnesota finished the regular season with identical 88-74 records.

Detroit took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning, but starter Freddy Garcia had to leave the game with tightness in his shoulder and the Tigers bullpen could not hold off the White Sox.

"It's been a tough year," manager Jim Leyland said of his club's season. Detroit finished last in the AL Central with a 74-88 mark.

"Today pretty much sums up what's gone on all year, really.

"It hasn't been a very good year and it wasn't a very happy ending."

Agencies

(China Daily 10/01/2008 page12)