Kipnis powers Indians past White Sox 7-5

[May 04, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Jason Kipnis hit a three-run homer and finished with a career-high four RBIs, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

Kipnis, a native of suburban Chicago, also tripled in a run, walked and scored twice.

Justin Masterson (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, holding the White Sox to three runs over 6 1-3 innings. Masterson improved to 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his six career road starts against the White Sox.

Chris Perez got the last two outs for his ninth save in 10 chances.

Asdrubal Cabrera also homered for the Indians, who took two of three from the White Sox and have won four straight road series to begin a season for the first time since 1961. Cleveland's 9-3 road record is tied with Texas for the best in the majors.

Chicago couldn't overcome another rough night for John Danks (2-4), who allowed seven runs, six earned, over seven innings. He's allowed seven or more runs in back-to-back outings for the first time in his career.

Danks, who ranks third among American League lefties with 50 wins since 2008, has a 6.51 ERA through his first six starts. He also committed two errors and has three this year, matching his total for his first five big league seasons.

Danks fell to 0-5 with a 6.51 ERA in seven career starts against Cleveland at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Indians were clinging to a 4-3 lead when Kipnis connected with two out in the seventh, sending a 3-1 pitch from Danks over the wall in right.

Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Chicago, his seventh of the season and third in four games. Alejandro De Aza had three hits, including a two-run single in the fifth that trimmed Cleveland's lead to 3-2.

Casey Kotchman got the Indians off to a nice start with an RBI single in the second, and the Tribe added two more in the third.

Johnny Damon led off with a double for his first hit with the Indians, and scored on Kipnis' triple off the center-field wall. Cabrera singled home Kipnis.

Damon's run was the 1,644th of his career, breaking a tie with Jimmy Ryan for 35th on the all-time list.

Paul Konerko and Kosuke Fukudome each walked three times for Chicago.

The Indians have had at least a share of the lead in the AL Central for 10 straight days, their longest stretch in first place since June 29-July 9, 2011. Cleveland has won 12 of its last 18 games.

NOTES: Indians manager Manny Acta gave Travis Hafner the night off after he was hit on the right knee by a Phil Humber pitch during Wednesday's 6-3 win. Hafner said the ball hit stuck him on the bone, but after icing the injury it was feeling much better. ... Damon started at designated hitter after leaving Wednesday's game -- his Indians debut -- with what the team called "general cramping." ... The start of the game was delayed by 19 minutes because of storms moving through the Chicago area. ... Dunn's homer snapped streak of 17 2-3 scoreless innings by the Cleveland bullpen.

[Associated Press]

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