Tigers Win Opener, 6-3 in Chicago

The Tigers scored five runs in the second inning to win the first game of the 2017 season, 6-2 over the White Sox in Chicago.  Rookie center fielder JaCoby Jones hit a 3-run homer, the first of his career, and the Tigers also got home runs from Ian Kinsler and Nick Castellanos.   The 24 year old Jones is the first Tiger rookie to home on Opening Day since 1980 when Kirk Gibson did it, according to Elias Sports. Justin Verlander started for Detroit, and gave up two runs  in 6 1/3 innings and struck out 10.   Shane Green put let the Sox start a rally in the 9th, but Francisco Rodriguez shut the Sox down to preserve the win.

Game two is scheduled for Wednesday, with Jordan Zimmerman on the mound for the Tigers, but the weather forecast is for a wet and bitterly cold day in Chicago.   Broadcast time is 1:45 on 95.3 WBCK.  The two teams are also scheduled to play in Chicago on Thursday afternoon.