Saturday, April 13, 2013
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Swisher's hit in 9th gives Indians 1-0 win

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[April 13, 2013]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- Nick Swisher's two-out RBI single in the ninth inning gave the Cleveland Indians a 1-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Michael Bourn started the rally with a one-out double off Jesse Crain (0-1). Bourn's blooper landed near the left field line and he beat the throw to second base. After Asdrubal Cabrera's groundout moved Bourn to third, Crain fell behind Jason Kipnis in the count 3-0 before an intentional walk was issued.

Swisher, one of the Indians' key offseason additions, hit the first pitch into right field and was mobbed by his teammates as the Indians won for the first time in three home games despite managing only three hits.

Starters Justin Masterson (3-0) and Jose Quintana engaged in a pitchers' duel. Masterson threw nine shutout innings, allowing five hits. Quintana held the Indians to one hit in seven innings.

Masterson, who struck out seven and walked one, extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to a career-high 19.

He retired the side in order in the ninth and was given a standing ovation by the crowd of 11,864. Masterson hasn't allowed a run since the third inning on opening day against Toronto. He pitched seven scoreless in his second start against Tampa Bay.

Masterson was assisted by his defense. Alex Rios hit a ball off the wall with two outs in the first, but was thrown out trying for a double by left fielder Michael Brantley.

Alexei Ramirez singled to lead off the sixth, but was out thrown out attempting to steal second by catcher Yan Gomes. Paul Konerko doubled with two outs in the seventh -- becoming Chicago's first batter to reach second -- but Dayan Viciedo struck out.

Conor Gillaspie started the eighth with a double over the head of Brantley, who nearly made a running catch in front of the wall. Ramirez fouled off a bunt attempt that was caught by Gomes behind home plate. After a groundout moved Gillaspie to third, Masterson struck out Alejandro De Aza to end the inning.

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Quintana allowed one hit -- Brantley's two-out double in the second. The Indians' only other base runner against the left-hander came when Swisher was hit by a pitch with two outs in the fourth. Quintana, who allowed six runs in four innings in his first start against Seattle, struck out seven.

The Indians were outscored 25-7 in losing the first two games of a series to the Yankees. Scheduled games Wednesday and Thursday were postponed by rain, allowing manager Terry Francona to come back with Masterson, who has three of Cleveland's four wins. The Indians' pitching staff had a 5.58 ERA through the first eight games and had allowed 16 home runs.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham, placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken bone in his left wrist, will have surgery Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic.

Cleveland activated designated hitter Jason Giambi (strained lower back) from the 15-day disabled before the game.

Francona said catcher Carlos Santana, who has been out since Monday with a bruised left hand, could be in the lineup Saturday. Santana, who is 13 for 26, is the only qualifying player currently batting .500 or better.

NOTES: The White Sox recalled RHP Deunte Heath from Triple-A Charlotte to take Beckham's roster spot. ... C Hector Gimenez started for the second time this season. ... White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper remains hospitalized in Northern Virginia with diverticulitis. He'll miss the remainder of the team's 10-game road trip. ... RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, pitching at Triple-A Columbus, left Friday's game against Indianapolis in the third inning after issuing five walks. The Indians signed the veteran to a minor-league contract before spring training. ... LHP Scott Kazmir, who is on the disabled list with a strained rib cage, threw a bullpen session on Friday. ... In other roster moves, LHP Nick Hagadone was recalled from Columbus, RHP Corey Kluber was optioned to Columbus and RHP Matt Albers was placed on the paternity list.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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