Wednesday’s matinee between the Chicago White Sox (51-52) and Detroit Tigers (55-49) started with goodbyes as the Sox announced they had traded Mark Teahen and Edwin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for two pitchers. What few people were talking about was the call up of minor leaguer Alejandro De Aza. De Aza would be the bigger story though as the Sox would go on to a 2-1 victory and a series victory against the Detroit Tigers.
Alejandro De Aza has had successful spring training stints with the Sox the past two seasons. One of the last not to make the Big Club out of camp the past two seasons, De Aza got to show on Wednesday that he might belong in the majors. The native of the Dominican Rebuplic was in the starting lineup to give the slumping Alex Rios a night off. In his first at bat, De Aza hit a two-run homer off Max Scherzer which would prove to be all the offense the Sox would need.
John Danks was fantastic Wednesday afternoon. Danks went six innings and allowed just one run on six hits. The Sox lefty also had ten strikeouts. Danks improved to 4-8 on the season. Chris Sale was fantastic in relief retiring all eight batters he faced, and Sergio Santos got the final out to earn his 21st save of the season.
Max Scherzer pitched well for the Tigers but was on the losing end of the pitching duel with Danks. Scherzer went six innings and allowed just two runs on six hits along with eight strikeouts. The Tigers righty fell to 11-6 on the season.
The Sox will enjoy a day off on Thursday before hosting the Boston Red Sox starting Friday evening.