Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – Melky Cabrera’s RBI hit capped a four-run
rally in the ninth inning that lifted the Chicago White Sox to a 4-3 win over
the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.
The White Sox rally came only after they struggled to solve Cleveland starter
Trevor Bauer, who had seven strikeouts in seven shutout innings while giving
up four hits and two walks.
Chicago put a runner on base against Nick Hagadone in the eighth, but left him
there.
In the ninth, Avisail Garcia stroked a one-out double off Indians closer Cody
Allen (0-2) to spark the offense. After Conor Gillaspie walked, both runners
moved up on a wild pitch and scored when Alexei Ramirez drove a second-pitch
fastball to the base of the center field wall for a two-run double.
Ramirez went to third on a hit by Tyler Flowers and scored on Gordon Beckham’s
single through the left side of the infield to tie the score.
The Indians stuck with Allen and Cabrera made them pay, driving a 95 mph
fastball on the seventh pitch of his at-bat close to the warning track in
left-center field where no one could reach it.
The win kicked off a seven-game homestand for the White Sox, who came in
having lost three of their previous four.
Chicago starter John Danks went six innings and gave up six hits, including
solo homers to Ryan Raburn and Brett Hayes.
Raburn reached base three times for the Indians, who have lost seven of their
last nine.
He led off the second inning with his first homer of the season, driving
Danks’ ninth pitch of the at-bat into the left-field seats.
It was his 75th career home run — and 18th against the White Sox.
In the third, Mike Aviles drew a two-out walk and scored on Michael Brantley’s
double to the right-field wall. Hayes then homered off the top of the left-
field wall leading off the fifth inning, his first of the season, to give the
Indians a 3-0 lead.
Game Notes
David Robertson (1-0) had two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning to
get the win … Monday’s starters faced off last Wednesday in a 4-2 Indians
victory. Bauer pitched six innings for the win and Danks gave up four runs in
4 2/3 innings … The teams split a two-game series in Cleveland last week …
The White Sox promoted top pitching prospect Carlos Rodon from Triple-A
Charlotte on Monday … The Indians won a replay challenge in the third inning
that netted them a double play after umpires ruled Cabrera didn’t beat the
throw to first base.
