DETROIT — The Chicago White Sox were unable to hold multiple late leads on Sunday, falling 5-4 to the Detroit Tigers and completing a three-game series sweep that leaves them trailing in the American League Central race. The loss capped a difficult 1-5 road trip for Chicago, with the team now one game behind the Cleveland Guardians, who also lost on Sunday.

White Sox manager Will Venable acknowledged the challenge ahead as the team returns home to face the Guardians, emphasizing the need to rebound quickly. “They keep coming, there’s another really good opponent that we have,” Venable said. “We’re excited to go back home and take care of business there.”

Chicago’s bullpen struggled despite a solid starting performance from Davis Martin, who allowed just one run over six innings. Reliever Grant Taylor, who had not appeared in a game for a week, gave up a solo home run to Dillon Dingler in the eighth inning, erasing the Sox’s two-run lead. In the ninth, Seranthony Dominguez surrendered the tying run after allowing three consecutive singles. Among these was an infield hit by Jahmai Jones, who entered the weekend batting .138 and was met with boos from the Detroit crowd.

The Sox regained the lead in the 10th inning, but reliever Brandon Eisert allowed two singles to tie the game again and then loaded the bases following a misplay by first baseman Jacob Gonzalez. Gonzalez dove to field a ball and immediately threw home without touching first base. Although the runner at third did not score on the play, Venable noted it was a critical moment. “You want to think about that run. That’s the game-winning run there,” Venable said. “Got to be able to see that he’s not going and get an out there. But we’ll learn from it.”

After that, newly reinstated Jordan Hicks, returning from a right lat strain, gave up a bloop single to Matt Vierling that fell in front of a diving Braden Montgomery in right field, allowing the go-ahead run to score.

Earlier in the game, Luisangel Acuna provided some offensive lift, hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his first since 2024.

The White Sox are awaiting the return of several players, including left-hander Noah Schultz, who recently completed a 2⅔-inning rehab outing with Triple-A Charlotte. Schultz allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four, throwing 57 pitches. He is expected to need at least one more minor league start before rejoining the major league roster.

Meanwhile, infielder Munetaka Murakami continues to progress from a strained right hamstring, with manager Venable reporting increased activity in running and hitting, now at approximately 80% intensity. There remains no firm timetable for his return.

Following Hicks’s activation, Chicago optioned rookie right-hander Tyler Davis back to Charlotte.

The White Sox open a three-game home series against the Guardians on Monday, with Gavin Williams (9-4, 3.83 ERA) set to face Anthony Kay (6-2, 4.61) in the opener. Tuesday’s matchup will feature Parker Messick against Sean Burke, followed by Tanner Bibee against Erick Fedde on Wednesday.