Miscommunication keeps Price from returning to game

DETROIT -- As it turned out, it was just a miscommunication, nothing else.

When the between-innings clock expired, all the Tigers were in position except for one -- the pitcher.

Starter David Price had allowed the Chicago White Sox four runs on six hits through six innings, but he had only thrown 99 pitches, so there was some question as to whether he was remaining in the game.

"There was a miscommunication as to whether he was going back out," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "I thought he was, and he thought he was done. That was the miscommunication."

This was not like a recent game in which Yoenis Cespedes was late returning to the field after a bathroom break.

"I was up here (clubhouse) doing arm exercises," Price said. "Ver (Justin Verlander) ran up the tunnel and said, 'You are still in the game.' I said, 'No, I'm not. I have zero uniform on right now.'"

Alex Wilson, who had been warming up in the sixth inning, finally made it to the mound to start the seventh.

"I had got hot the inning before, which helped a lot," Wilson said. "But I was unaware that I was actually going to start the inning. Minor detail in the long run but I was ready to go. Luckily for me, I'm a guy that can quickly get loose. I ran out there and was able to get the job done."

Wilson threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, combining with Tom Gorzelanny (1/3 inning) and Joakim Soria (1 inning) to shut the White Sox down the rest of the way. 

"It was a miscommunication on everybody's part," Price said. "It's never happened before. But you can put it on me. I am fine with it."