The Detroit Tigers erased a six-run deficit and beat the Chicago White Sox 11-8 on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Guaranteed Rate Field in a nine-inning division game that required every last out to decide. Detroit's offense erupted through the middle and late innings, with five Tigers logging multi-hit games and the bullpen holding the line when it mattered most. Drew Sommers earned the win and Kenley Jansen closed it out, giving the Tigers a hard-fought three-run margin in a game that could easily have gone the other way.

Hao-Yu Lee Leads Detroit's Offensive Surge

If there was one player who defined Friday's performance for Detroit, it was Hao-Yu Lee. The Tigers infielder went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, providing the kind of multi-faceted offensive output that drives comeback wins. Lee's four-hit night was the engine of the rally, keeping pressure on a Chicago bullpen that eventually cracked.

Kevin McGonigle added a critical 2-for-5 night at the plate, driving in four runs — the most of any Tiger on the evening. Riley Greene supplied a home run and two RBI in four at-bats, and both Spencer Torkelson and Eduardo Valencia went 2-for-4, giving Detroit's lineup consistent production from top to bottom.

Chicago Jumped Out Early Before Detroit's Bullpen Stabilized the Game

The White Sox built their six-run lead behind starter David Sandlin, who allowed five earned runs on seven hits across four innings before Chicago's bullpen took over. Colson Montgomery drove in three runs for the home side and Miguel Vargas hit a home run, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBI. Chicago showed enough offense to make this a legitimate threat for most of the game.

The Tigers' own pitching staff had a rocky start. Andrew Sears lasted just two-thirds of an inning, walking three batters. Beau Brieske came on and struck out four over 2.1 innings while allowing two earned runs, helping to stabilize the situation enough for Detroit's offense to start doing its work.

Turning Point: Sommers Shuts the Door, Jansen Finishes It

The turning point arrived when Drew Sommers took the mound and delivered two scoreless innings with five strikeouts and zero hits allowed — a dominant stretch that halted Chicago's momentum and gave Detroit's offense room to complete the comeback. Sommers earned the win with that effort.

Sean Newcomb took the loss for Chicago, allowing three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning during the stretch where Detroit broke the game open. Bryan Hudson's relief appearance was also costly, surrendering two earned runs on four hits in just one-third of an inning. The White Sox bullpen's late-inning struggles were ultimately what let Detroit back in the door.

Kenley Jansen wrapped up the final inning cleanly, recording a strikeout and finishing the game for Detroit's 11-8 victory.

Key Performances at a Glance

Detroit Tigers

  • Hao-Yu Lee: 4-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Kevin McGonigle: 2-for-5, 4 RBI
  • Riley Greene: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Spencer Torkelson: 2-for-4
  • Eduardo Valencia: 2-for-4
  • Drew Sommers (W): 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 5 K
  • Kenley Jansen (SV): 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 K

Chicago White Sox

  • Miguel Vargas: 2-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Colson Montgomery: 2-for-4, 3 RBI
  • Sean Newcomb (L): 0.2 IP, 3 ER
  • Bryan Hudson: 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H

What's Next for Detroit

The Tigers will look to build on Friday's win as they continue their September schedule with this series against Chicago still in play. Detroit's bullpen management will be worth watching in the next game — Sommers and Jansen both worked Friday night, so A.J. Hinch will need other arms ready. Brant Hurter threw 1.2 scoreless innings and Tyler Kinley tossed 1.1 clean frames, so both figure into the equation going forward. After the way this one unfolded, expect the Tigers' lineup — particularly Lee and McGonigle — to carry confidence into the next contest.