The video replay settled in an exciting duel between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, and they were the first to win their opener at Comerica Park by a score of 5 to 4, Friday after- noon.
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The home team came from behind twice to defeat the Sox. In the ninth inning, Eric Haase first tied the game 4-4 with a long ball, but it was a Javier Baez single that made the difference.
AJ Pollock appeared to have made a miraculous catch against the right field wall, after the white object made a leap on his glove. Officials colluded, however, and video replay showed the ball first hit the fence before being caught by the outfielder, which turned that out into a hit for Baez. Austin Meadows was able to cross the plate for the point of victory.
The Tigers had never had the lead before this moment. Singles by Jeimer Candelario and Miguel Cabrera had brought the two teams 3-3 in the eighth round at bat, but the White Sox regained the lead with a solo homer from Andrew Vaughn.
Reliever Gregory Soto (1-0) was credited with the unexpected victory, having allowed the long ball in the ninth.
Rays start with a win
In Tampa, the Rays responded better than in their preseason games, but needed all their little change to beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1.
The two points for the local favorites were scored thanks to sacrifice balloons, in the third and eighth innings. During this last assault, Francisco Mejia lifted a ball which allowed Ji-Man Choi to score the winning point.
Relievers JP Feyereisen and Brooks Raley teamed up in the ninth to handcuff the Orioles hitters. The second was also credited with the save, but the victory went to the record of Andrew Kittredge (1-0), who gave a hit and a walk in the eighth.
Anthony Santander was Baltimore’s lone scorer on a sixth-inning homer.