Tigers' Brett Callahan's spark fizzles during White Sox weekend sweep

Tigers' Brett Callahan's spark fizzles during White Sox weekend sweep originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On the first pitch of his MLB career, Detroit Tigers outfielder Brett Callahan connected on a 76-mph knuckle curve by Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke and delivered a two-run triple to a team that needed a spark.

The Tigers entered the weekend with a chance to take sole possession of first place in the AL Central.

Instead, following Sunday's 7-5 defeat, they dropped 5.5 games behind the division-leading White Sox, who slammed seven home runs during the three-game sweep at Comerica Park.

The second-inning spark the rookie provided ... fizzled.

Ranked as the organization's No. 19 prospect, Callahan was a surprise call-up from Triple-A Toledo. The 2023 No. 380-overall draft pick opened 2025 in the Florida Coast League for rookies. He didn't escape A-ball until the start of this season.

The fourth member of his draft class to reach the majors, Callahan hit. .274 with 30 homers and 158 RBI in 911 minor-league at-bats. He became the first player in the organization to triple in his first at-bat since Bill Irwin on May 18, 1912.

Irwin played in one MLB game, going 2-for-3 with two triples. He was one of the emergency players who played after the club went on strike to protest Ty Cobb's suspension.

Callahan became the fifth Tigers' rookie to reach base on their first at-bat this season, joining Max Clark, Ben Malgeri, Kevin McGonigle and Eduardo Valencia. The last time five first-year Tigers accomplished the feat was 1963, featuring Gates Brown, Willie Horton, Mickey Lolich, Alan Koch and Don Wert.

Sparked by Callahan, the Tigers opened an early 3-0 lead. They couldn't hold it. Despite losing three straight, the Tigers (60-64) remained one game behind in the AL Wild Card chase. The White Sox improved to 65-58.

Callahan went 1-for-2 with a strikeout in his debut. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch elected to send out Malgeri as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.

With friends and family in attendance, Callahan created an early spark, but like the weekend series, it fizzled. 

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