White Sox beat playoff-bound Tigers 4-0, stay at 121 losses going into finale

DETROIT (AP) — Sean Burke pitched two-hit ball over five innings, Andrew Benintendi tied his career high with his 20th homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the playoff-bound Detroit Tigers 4-0 on Saturday to stay at 121 losses going into their season finale.

Making his fourth big league appearance, Burke (2-0) struck out six and walked three, helping stop Detroit's six-game winning streak.

Detroit had two baserunners in each of the first two innings. Burke allowed only one runner in his last three innings.

“We had a couple of chances early to change his day,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “They got somebody up early because I think he had 30 pitches in the first and never really broke through.”

Burke held playoff-bound San Diego to one run and two hits in six innings during his previous outing. He persevered through dreary playing conditions in Saturday’s start.

“It’s nothing I haven’t pitched in before,” Burke said, who played college ball at Maryland. “I’m from Massachusetts and went to a Big Ten school, so I got used to pitching in this stuff. After the first two innings, I kind of settled in.”

Michael Soroka didn't allow a baserunner while striking out five in three innings. Gus Varland finished a three-hitter, just the seventh shutout for the White Sox.

Detroit, which will be the No. 2 or 3 wild card in the AL playoffs, on Friday clinched its first postseason berth since 2014 with its 10th win in 11 games.

A night after setting the post-1900 record for losses, Chicago (40-121) won for the fourth time in a five-game span for only the second time this season. The White Sox won a season-high four straight from May 8-11.

Benintendi also doubled and scored two runs and Bryan Ramos added a solo homer for the White Sox.

Jackson Jobe, a well-regarded 22-year-old Detroit right-hander, had a hitless three-inning relief stint. Making his second big league appearance, Jobe had his first two career strikeouts.

In a game that started 2 hours, 20 minutes late because of inclement weather, Ramos homered in the second off Beau Brieske (4-5) and Andrew Vaughn hit an RBI single in the sixth against Ty Madden.

Benintendi followed a leadoff walk to Zach DeLoach in the eighth a two-run homer. He also hit 20 in 2017, his first full season with Boston.

Hinch didn't think there was a letdown after Friday's celebration.

“I don't want to make any excuses whatsoever,” he said. “There was a lot of energy this morning coming out of last night. Then we sat around a little bit and then go out and it wasn't a great day to play. We're going to chalk this up and get through it and bounce back tomorrow. We have a chance to win the series and the regular season on a much better note.”

UP NEXT

White Sox RHP Jonathan Cannon (4-10, 4.37 ERA) starts Sunday against a Tigers pitcher to be announced.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Detroit Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter, right, catches a Chicago White Sox's Andrew Benintendi fly ball as center fielder Parker Meadows, left, makes contact in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Chicago White Sox's Bryan Ramos (44) celebrates his home run against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe throws against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Chicago White Sox's Andrew Benintendi, right, celebrates scoring with Lenyn Sosa (50) against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Chicago White Sox's Bryan Ramos reacts to striking out against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe throws against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke throws against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcel Reed threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score, and No. 24 Texas A&M beat Arkansas 21-17 on Saturday in their final scheduled neutral-site meeting at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Reed's passing TDs were 58 yards to Noah Thomas in the first quarter and a go-ahead 5-yarder to Tre Watson with nine minutes remaining as the Aggies beat the Razorbacks for the 12th time in 13 meetings since joining them in the Southeastern Conference in 2012.

Nine of those victories for Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) came at AT&T Stadium against the alma mater of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The series, which started with a 15-year contract the year Jones' retractable roof venue opened in 2009, is set to move to campus sites full-time.

Arkansas (3-2, 1-1) scored three plays into the game when Taylen Green threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa, and Ja’Quinden Jackson's 8-yard run for the Razorbacks' only other touchdown put them up 14-7.

The Aggies' Le'Veon Moss ran 12 times for 110 yards, with 46 coming on three straight carries on the winning touchdown drive.

Devin Bale's punt for Arkansas pinned Texas A&M at its 1 with 5:34 left and the Razorbacks trailing by four points. Reed threw 10 yards to Jabre Barber and Moss ran for another 30 to give the Aggies some breathing room before a punt backed up the Razorbacks to their own 10.

They converted a fourth-and-1 and moved to their 34 before Nic Scourton hit Green from behind and forced a fumble that was recovered by A&M's Jaydon Hill with 1:30 left. The Aggies then ran out the clock.

Arkansas' Jackson was limited to 37 yards on 10 carries after coming in leading the SEC at 118 yards rushing per game. He did score a TD, putting him at nine for the season.

Reed, who is 3-0 as the starter since Connor Weigman sprained his throwing shoulder, finished 11 of 22 for 163 yards and no turnovers. Weigman was in uniform.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks set up their second TD with Bale's 25-yard run on a fake punt. But they might have tried the trickery with him one time too many. Bale was the holder on a fake field goal and was dropped for a 5-yard loss, leaving the score tied at 14 in the third quarter.

Texas A&M: Since losing to No. 16 Notre Dame in the opener at home, the Aggies are building momentum in the first season under Elko. Both of the SEC victories have been away from College Station, starting with a win at Florida two weeks ago.

Arkansas: hosts No. 5 Tennessee next Saturday.

Texas A&M: hosts No. 11 Missouri next Saturday.

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Texas A&M defensive back Dezz Ricks (10) intercepts a pass intended for Arkansas wide receiver Tyrone Broden (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) reacts in front of Arkansas defensive back Marquise Robinson (13) after scoring on a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green looks to pass against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner's hand is seen on the face of Arkansas offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock while rushing in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Arkansas punter Devin Bale, right, runs with the ball with Texas A&M defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe in tow while running a fake punt play for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas A&M wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) gestures at Arkansas defensive back Marquise Robinson (13) while scoring on a long touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner, left, and defensive lineman Nic Scourton react after a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)