Zimmermann 'terrible' in Tigers' 7-3 loss to Sox
Zimmermann gave up three home runs, lifting his total to 16 allowed this season; Tigers' offense wasn't much better for much of the game
Zimmermann 'terrible' in Tigers' 7-3 loss to Sox Zimmermann gave up three home runs, lifting his total to 16 allowed this season; Tigers' offense wasn't much better for much of the game Check out this story on Freep.com: http://on.freep.com/2rvqfop
Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press Published 6:47 p.m. ET May 28, 2017 | Updated 8:31 p.m. ET May 28, 2017
Tigers centerfielder Alex Presley can't make the play on a ball hit for a solo home run by the White Sox's Matt Davidson in the fourth inning Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago.(Photo: Nam Y. Huh, AP)
CHICAGO — Jordan Zimmermann is healthy.
The Detroit Tigers' veteran right-hander has not reported any soreness in his neck that prevented him from pitching like the pitcher the team thought it signed before last season.
But his neck might be a little sore after his latest start.
Zimmermann kept turning around to watch baseballs fly over the fence at Guaranteed Rate Field this afternoon, allowing three home runs as the White Sox beat the Tigers, 7-3.
"Terrible," he said. "It's frustrating. … They brought me over here to be a big-time pitcher and I'm not doing that right now."
It was the continuance of a terrible trend this season: Zimmermann victimized by hard contact and home runs.
The Tigers offense didn't do much to back him, though that was a nearly impossible task on this day.
Photos: Tigers vs. White Sox series
Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias throws out a White Sox runner in the second inning on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. Brian Cassella, TNS
Andrew Romine of the Tigers slides safely into third base for a triple as the ball hits the chest of Todd Frazier of the White Sox during the eighth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Jon Durr, Getty Images
May 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Tigers centerfielder Alex Presley misses catching a home run hit by White Sox designated hitter Matt Davidson during the fourth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; White Sox rightfielder Willy Garcia slides safely into third base with an RBI triple as Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos takes the throw in the third inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; White Sox starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez tips his cap as he leaves in the eighth inning against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. He had a perfect game through six innings. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Tigers relief pitcher Arcenio Leon throws the ball against the White Sox during the eighth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports
White Sox leftfielder Melky Cabrera watches his solo home run against the Tigers on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. Brian Cassella, TNS
Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws against the White Sox on May 28, 2017 in Chicago. MLB players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. Jon Durr, Getty Images
Tigers centerfielder Alex Presley can't make the play on a ball hit for a solo home run by the White Sox's Matt Davidson in the fourth inning Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers hits an RBI single against the White Sox during the seventh inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Jon Durr, Getty Images
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) delivers to the Chicago White Sox in the first inning on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS) Brian Cassella, TNS
Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann reacts while White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier circles the bases with a two-run home run in the fifth inning of the Tigers' 7-3 loss Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Brian Cassella, TNS
White Sox's Willy Garcia scores on a throwing error after hitting an RBI triple as Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann looks to the field in the third inning Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Fans leave their seats during a rain delay in the fourth inning between the Tigers and the White Sox on Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers' Victor Martinez reacts after being called out on strikes in the fifth inning against the White Sox, Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
May 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; The grounds crew puts a tarp on the field in a rain delay during the fourth inning in a game between the White Sox and the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. David Banks, USA TODAY Sports
Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann kicks the mound after the White Sox's Yolmer Sanchez hit a double in the fourth inning Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
"Almighty" Christopher Daniels throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Tigers and the White Sox, Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, right, celebrates with third baseman Nick Castellanos after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, right, celebrates with pitcher Justin Wilson after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers leftfielder Justin Upton, left, celebrates with pitcher Justin Wilson, center, and catcher John Hicks after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) celebrates with manager Brad Ausmus, left, and teammates after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning of the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera throws a baseball to a fan in the fifth inning the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus takes pitcher Buck Farmer out of the game in the 7th inning of the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine scores a run in the 7th inning of the Tigers' 4-3 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the doubleheader Saturday in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Justin Wilson pitches in the 9th inning of a Tigers 4-3 win over the White Sox. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Tigers starting pitcher Buck Farmer throws against the White Sox in the first inning of the second game of a doubleheader Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh, AP
Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins dives unsuccessfully to try and catch a ball hit by the White Sox in the 8th inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Adam Engel of the White Sox dives safely back to first base ahead of the tag by Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers in the 8th inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers reacts after striking out in the 7th inning against the White Sox on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Andrew Romine of the Tigers turns a double play in the 5th inning over Omar Narvaez of the White Sox on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Jose Iglesias of the Tigers reacts after striking out in the 8th inning against the White Sox on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Chicago White Sox's Adam Engel dive safely back to first on a pick off attempt by Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer to first baseman Miguel Cabrera during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 27, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
The White Sox celebrate their 3-0 win over the Tigers on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
White Sox's Omar Narvaez lays down a bunt single as Tigers catcher Alex Avila and home plate umpire Nic Lentz watch during the fifth inning Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
White Sox's Tim Anderson beats the throw to Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera in the fifth inning Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
White Sox's Melky Cabrera catches a ball in foul territory and runs in to the railing during the fifth inning against the Tigers on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer delivers against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer delivers during the first inning against the White Sox, Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
Tigers catcher Alex Avila reacts after striking out looking in the 2nd inning in front of White Sox catcher Omar Narvaez at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 27, 2017 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) is tagged out by Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine (17) during a run down between second base and first base during the seventh inning of the Tigers' 8-2 loss Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers third baseman Nicholas Castellanos throws out White Sox second baseman Tyler Saladino at first base during the third inning of the Tigers' 8-2 loss Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers third baseman Nicholas Castellanos bobbles a single hit by Chicago White Sox leftfielder Melky Cabrera during the third inning of the Tigers' 8-2 loss Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers leftfielder Justin Upton reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of the Tigers' 8-2 loss Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine forces out White Sox rightfielder Avisail Garcia at second base during the seventh inning of the Tigers' 8-2 loss Friday in Chicago. David Banks, Getty Images
Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) flips the ball to second baseman Andrew Romine (17) as he forces White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sanchez (5) out in the in the fourth inning Friday in Chicago. Matt Marton USA TODAY Sports
Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine reacts after striking out during the second inning Friday in Chicago. David Banks, Getty Images
Tigers leftfielder Justin Upton is greeted by his teammates after scoring during the second inning Friday in Chicago. David Banks, Getty Images
Tigers catcher Alex Avila (31) celebrates with rightfielder J.D. Martinez (41) after he hits a home run in the fifth inning Friday in Chicago. Matt Marton USA TODAY Sports
Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (48) walks past White Sox players after they score in the third inning Friday in Chicago. Matt Marton USA TODAY Sports
Tigers catcher Alex Avila (31) celebrates with teammates after he hits a home run in the fifth inning Friday in Chicago. Matt Marton USA TODAY Sports
White Sox designated hitter Todd Frazier (21) slides into home plate safely on a Avisail Garcia double while Tigers catcher Alex Avila (31) tries to apply the tag during the third inning Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers second baseman Andrew Romine (17) throws to first base after forcing out White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) at second base during the second inning Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
White Sox rightfielder Avisail Garcia watches his three-RBI double during the third inning Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
Tigers starter Matthew Boyd delivers a pitch during the first inning Friday in Chicago. Paul Beaty, AP
The Tigers struck out 49 times in the four-game series against the White Sox, the most for any four-game series in team history since at least 1913, according to research by Fox Sports Detroit's Austin Drake.
The White Sox jumped on Zimmermann in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI triple by Willy Garcia. Garcia scored on the play when Jose Iglesias made an errant throw to third base.
Two batters later, the first home run happened: Melky Cabrera to rightfield.
After a 30-minute rain delay, Zimmermann allowed a home run to Matt Davidson to lead off the fourth. After the White Sox scored another, Todd Frazier hit a two-run home run in the fifth.
Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann kicks the mound after the White Sox's Yolmer Sanchez hit a double in the fourth inning Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Chicago. (Photo: Nam Y. Huh, AP)
Zimmermann (4-4) has allowed 16 home runs in 55⅔ innings this season. He allowed 14 in 105⅓ innings last season.
"He's gotta stay away from the home run ball," manager Brad Ausmus said. "The home run balls kill him. He can't continue to pitch and give up home runs like that."
Zimmermann's final line: Five innings, eight hits, seven earned runs, one walk and three strikeouts. For the season, he has a 6.47 ERA in 10 starts.
The Tigers didn't put their first runner on base until the seventh inning, when Andrew Romine singled to shortstop.
White Sox righty Miguel Gonzalez retired the first 18 men in order before Romine's line drive, initially ruled an error but later changed to a hit.
"We're just not swinging the bats well, period," Ausmus said. "Occasionally, a guy hits the ball well here and there but as a group, we're not swinging the bats well."
Gonzalez allowed a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth, but as Ausmus said, "It was too late."
Gonzalez, who has struggled in his career against the Tigers, allowed three runs on six hits in 7⅔ innings, with six strikeouts and no walks.
The recently promoted Alex Presley — taking the roster spot of Tyler Collins, who was designated for assignment earlier in the day — had an RBI double in the eighth inning. Romine was the only Tiger with multiple hits (two).
Righty reliever Arcenio Leon made his major league debut in the eighth inning, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.
It was the lone bright spot in the Tigers' latest loss, which puts them four games under the .500 mark (23-27). They are 2-6 on their 11-game road trip, which now rolls into Kansas City for a three-game series with the Royals beginning tonight.
"Probably every year I've been here, we've gone through something like this," Ausmus said. "You go through this at some point — every team does — but we gotta find a way to get out of it."
Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.
Richard Sherman's hate for Michigan's Jim Harbaugh lives on: 'Nothing to mend'
Mike Vrabel shows Lions what they missed by hiring Matt Patricia
Michigan football fills both coaching vacancies, lands one star recruiter
Why Charlie Strong says Michigan's new LBs coach is a 'great fit'
Pistons appear to be sellers before trade deadline. What else do we know?
Mailbag: Yzerman has tough job to reshape Red Wings at trade deadline