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DETROIT -- It was 78 degrees at game time on Thursday at Comerica Park.
Then the sixth inning rolled around, and it became considerably hotter.
Alexei Ramirez was hot. Jim Leyland was hotter. And it all stemmed from the heat. White Sox starter Chris Sale threw under Prince Fielder's chin an inning earlier. Then benches cleared in the top of the sixth inning after Tigers' righty Luke Putkonen retaliated for that pitch with one of his own behind Ramirez.
Ramirez walked toward the mound with his finger pointed at Putkonen, Miguel Cabrera walked from third with his finger pointed at Ramirez and catcher Brayan Pena held the slinky shortstop back as benches spilled onto the field.
The incident came two batters after White Sox rookie Josh Phegley chased Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers' lead with a grand slam that proved to be the game-winning hit in a 6-3 win in front of a sold out crowd in downtown Detroit.
Putkonen relieved Sanchez with one out in the sixth, retired Alejandro De Aza before throwing behind Ramirez.
An inning earlier, after the Tigers' took a 3-1 lead on Miguel Cabrera's 30th home run of the season � a solo shot � Sale responded with a 94 MPH fastball high and tight to Fielder on the very next pitch.
Putkonen and manager Jim Leyland were ejected.
Sanchez wasn't sharp from the get go, allowing back-to-back hits to start the game, which scored a run.
He scattering seven hits over 51/3 innings with three walks and six strikeouts. He allowed five runs, four of them earned.
Sale shared the same struggles but picked up the win, throwing 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and two walks. He allowed 10 hits.
Only one more run was tallied after the sixth inning skirmish, a solo home run by De Aza in the eighth. It came off Phil Coke, who walked three batters in 1/3 of an inning.
Matt Tuiasosopo hit his third home run in his last three starts in the first inning, a two-run opposite field shot to right field and Victor Martinez continued his hot hitting, extending his streak to 13 games with a 3-for-4 performance, including two doubles.
After going three months without meeting each other, the American League Central rivals didn't waste time getting reacquainted. They play 16 more times.
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