Zimmermann's health still an issue; Tigers' streak ends

DETROIT (AP) Jordan Zimmermann didn't last long in his return from the disabled list, and it's not clear when he'll be able to pitch again.

Zimmermann allowed homers to Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia in a five-run second inning, and the Detroit Tigers had their eight-game winning streak snapped in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

Zimmermann had been out since June 30 because of a right neck strain, and now a lat issue has come up. The right-hander was to have an MRI, and the Tigers were taking a wait-and-see approach on his next start.

''His lat was a little bit tight, not really related to what the issue was when he was on the DL,'' manager Brad Ausmus said. ''He just couldn't seem to get loose. There was no pain, he was just having trouble getting extended and locating the ball.''

Zimmermann (9-5) allowed six runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings, failing to strike out a batter. Jose Quintana (9-8) allowed three runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings.

David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 26th save in 30 chances, and Chicago won for only the second time in eight games.

Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler homered for Detroit, but the Tigers fell to three games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland.

Zimmermann labored through the first, allowing a run on Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly, but it was the second inning that was his undoing. Garcia homered into the second level of bushes beyond the wall in center field to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. Not long after that, trainer Kevin Rand went to the mound to check on Zimmermann, but the right-hander remained in the game.

Melky Cabrera added an RBI single, and Adam Eaton hit a sacrifice fly. Abreu then made it 6-1 with a two-run shot to left.

Abreu hadn't homered since June 23.

''It's been a long time, and I think somewhere in there, it's been dragging on him,'' White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. ''I think his swings today were great, and he hit a lot of balls right on the nose, which is a good sign for him.''

It was Zimmermann's shortest outing since he also went 1 2/3 innings for Washington against Miami on April 9, 2014.

MORE SUPPORT

Quintana had received one run or fewer of support in nine of his previous 14 starts. He protected the big lead without much drama Thursday after a shaky first inning.

POWER

Kinsler's homer was his 21st of the season and Miguel Cabrera's was his 25th.

''He's mostly on the corner, and it was no exception today,'' Kinsler said of Quintana. ''For myself, I just got one over the middle - basically right down the middle. Miggy hit a bad ball, it looked like.''

Kinsler's leadoff homer tied the game at 1, and the Tigers nearly scored again in the first on J.D. Martinez's double, but the relay home was in time to retire Nick Castellanos for the third out.

In the seventh, the Tigers scored on an RBI single by Tyler Collins, and Miguel Cabrera hit his solo shot an inning later.

TRAINER'S ROOM

White Sox: Rookie SS Tim Anderson left in the first inning with a bruised left hand after being hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative.

Tigers: OF Cameron Maybin sat out with a sprained left thumb.

UP NEXT

White Sox: Chicago hosts Baltimore for three games. Miguel Gonzalez (2-5) of the White Sox faces Yovani Gallardo (3-3) of the Orioles on Friday night.

Tigers: Justin Verlander (11-6) takes the mound against Noah Syndergaard (9-5) in the opener of a three-game series against the New York Mets.

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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister