The Sox had the tying run on base in both the eighth and ninth innings Tuesday but came up empty in a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers in front of 10,585 at Comerica Park.
The Sox came into the day with a chance at clinching the division title with a win and a Cleveland Indians loss. Their magic number remains at two, pending the outcome of the Cleveland-Kansas City Royals game.
“I think we need to concentrate more — I don’t think we’re playing tight,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “I just think that we’ve gotten off our game in places.