Tigers hold players-only meeting after blowout loss to White Sox

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Duane Burleson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Detroit Tigers held a players-only meeting after losing 13-0 to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

"We just need to play better. ... Nobody likes going out there and getting your ass handed to you every night," Tigers catcher Eric Haase said, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. "We feel like we're a better team than that."

The meeting wasn't heated, according to Haase, who said the players discussed a "broad range of issues."

The Tigers are on a four-game losing streak during which they have been shut out twice and outscored 33-6.

Javier Baez, who has struggled to a .188/.232/.288 slash line this season, discussed him and his teammates receiving criticism from upset fans as of late.

"The weather today was really hot and fans came to see us and they're frustrated," Baez said. "We understand. Trust me, we're frustrated in the dugout.

"If people want to let us know how they feel, great. I can't control that. Obviously we're losing a lot of games and it's frustrating for (fans)."

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he understood why his players were frustrated and possibly even embarrassed after the White Sox loss, but he still thinks they are capable of better results.

"This is unacceptable. We are better than this," Hinch said. "We have not lived up to the standard that we expect. We're all accountable - players, coaches, manager, front office, everybody - because it's been below par."

Detroit entered the 2022 campaign with lofty expectations after an offseason spending spree that included the signings of Baez and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. The Tigers sit fourth in the AL Central with a 24-38 record following Wednesday's loss.

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