Tigers Open Up on White Sox at New Comiskey in 16-0 Win

The Chicago White Sox thought of almost everything for the opening of $135-million Comiskey Park, but the Detroit Tigers had plenty of what they forgot--runs.

Rob Deer hit two home runs and Cecil Fielder and Tony Phillips each hit one as the Tigers spoiled the party by handing the Tigers a 16-0 defeat Thursday.

“We’ll remember the opening of Comiskey, I’ll guarantee that,” Chicago Manager Jeff Torborg said. “The ballpark was pretty--that was the only thing pretty for us.”

Many of the 42,191 fans in the 44,702-capacity stadium left early.

Jack McDowell (2-1), who won the final game at old Comiskey last Sept. 30, was shelled for six runs in the third inning. Detroit added 10 runs in the fourth off Brian Drahman and Ken Patterson.

The White Sox, who have given up 26 runs in two losses after opening the season with six consecutive victories, managed seven hits off Frank Tanana (1-1), who pitched his first shutout since Aug. 16, 1989, when he blanked the Baltimore Orioles.

With Vice President Dan Quayle, Mayor Richard M. Daley, baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent and sidelined outfielder Bo Jackson looking on, the White Sox came up with their worst shutout loss since a 17-0 defeat by Baltimore on July 27, 1969.

The Tigers had 19 hits, four each by Phillips and Alan Trammell.

“On a day like this, it’s better to be the visiting team,” Detroit Manager Sparky Anderson said. “It is tough to be the home team. There are too many distractions.”