CHICAGO -- Tigers manager Brad Ausmus gave his backup catcher, Bryan Holaday, the go-ahead to lay down a bunt 10 days ago after Holaday pointed out the infield playing back against him, and it led to a late-inning run. It seemed like a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity.
It came back around Tuesday night. With the go-ahead run on third base and two outs in the ninth inning, Holaday laid down a bunt on an unsuspecting White Sox defense to score Austin Jackson, sending Detroit to a 4-3 win at U.S. Cellular Field.
 
Holaday's bunt gives Tigers 4-3 win vs White Sox
 
In a game where Justin Verlander and Joba Chamberlain both kept the White Sox from driving in a runner on third base with less than two outs, including a squeeze attempt from Marcus Semien, Holaday's bunt stood as the difference.
Jackson reached base with one out in the ninth when his drive to right field fell in and out of Dayan Viciedo's glove for a three-base error. Ronald Belisario struck out Nick Castellanos to take away the sacrifice fly opportunity and bring up Holaday, a late addition to the Tigers lineup with Alex Avila sidelined by back spasms.
After taking a first-pitch ball and fouling off another sinker, Holaday turned and laid down a roller to the third-base side of the mound. Belisario scrambled to retrieve the ball as Jackson scrambled home, but the throw to first was both late and high, pulling Jose Abreu off the bag.
Thus came the difference on a night when Verlander and White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana essentially battled, their damage mainly concentrated on one inning. For Verlander, it was a four-hit, three-run third after holding the White Sox hitless through the first two innings. For Quintana, the damage came down to four consecutive two-out singles in the sixth to plate two runs and tie the game.
Jason Beck / MLB.com
 

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