How it happened: White Sox starting pitcher Pedro Hernandez’s major league debut didn’t go so well. Hernandez allowed 12 hits, three home runs and eight runs in four innings. Cody Ross did the bulk of the damage with two three-run homers. Ross had three hits, including a double, and six RBIs. Ross and Adrian Gonzalez hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. The White Sox took a 1-0 lead when Paul Konerko drove Alejandro De Aza in the first inning, but it didn’t last long.

What it means: The White Sox are in jeopardy of dropping their first series since losing two out of three games to the Chicago Cubs in mid-June. Since then, they’ve won five series and split one. As for the American League Central, the Detroit Tigers moved back within 2 ½ games.

Outside the box: Konerko appeared in his 2,000 game with White Sox on Wednesday. He ranks third in team history behind Luke Appling (2,442) and Nellie Fox (2,115).

Up next: The White Sox close out their four-game series with the Red Sox on Thursday. Jose Quintana (4-1, 2.60) will start for the White Sox, and Clay Buchholz (8-3, 5.54) will go for the Red Sox.