Jack Flaherty has another strong start in win vs. White Sox

DETROIT — While Tarik Skubal continues to garner the bulk of All-Star consideration in the Tigers rotation, Jack Flaherty continues to put together one stingy start after another. His scoreless streak ended at 20 2/3 innings with a Tommy Pham home run, but Carson Kelly’s two-run homer ensured Flaherty’s winning streak continued with a fourth consecutive victory, this one a 2-1 win over the White Sox on Friday night at Comerica Park.

After going winless over his first eight starts as a Tiger, Flaherty (5-4) has won five of his last six outings since May 18. Friday marked his first win at Comerica Park, and his work almost single-handedly ended Detroit’s four-game losing streak.

Though Flaherty worked with traffic on the basepaths through the early innings, he quelled White Sox rallies with help from timely strikeouts. His curveball sent down Andrew Vaughn swinging to end the opening inning with runners at second and third. Flaherty struck out the side in order after Pham’s leadoff single in the third inning, starting him on a run of eight consecutive outs before Pham feasted on a first-pitch changeup with two outs in the fifth.

Pham’s line drive down the left-field line had a 112.4 mph exit velocity according to Statcast, sending it over the fence in just 3.6 seconds to halve Detroit’s two-run advantage. Just as quickly, Flaherty recovered, turning back to his curveball to fan Nicky Lopez and end the inning. He retired Luis Robert Jr. and Gavin Sheets to begin the sixth inning before Andrew Vaughn’s single and Oscar Colás’ four-pitch walk sent manager A.J. Hinch to his bullpen to end the threat.

With eight strikeouts and two walks, Flaherty actually lowered his strikeout-to-walk ratio from 9.09 to 8.31, still good for second among qualified American League starters behind Seattle’s George Kirby.

Kelly’s fourth home run of the season scored Justyn-Henry Malloy, who had doubled four pitches earlier. White Sox starter Erick Fedde retired his final 14 batters, finishing with seven innings of two-run, five-hit ball.