|
 The White Sox jumped out to an early lead thanks to Abreu, who
delivered a solo home run in the first inning for the second
straight day. It was the fifth home run of the year for Abreu, who
entered the game with a .608 slugging percentage.
He also hit into a double play in the third inning that scored
center fielder Adam Eaton.
Abreu completed his productive day in the seventh inning with a
two-run double that broke the game open, giving the White Sox (6-8)
a comfortable six-run advantage.
The early portion of the offensive output proved to be plenty for
Samardzija. In six innings, he surrendered six hits and walked two,
snapping a string of 64 consecutive hitters without a walk.
Samardzija consistently protected the slim 2-0 lead, getting some
help from the Indians (5-9), who stranded 11 runners.
Cleveland's biggest chance came in the third inning, when the
Indians loaded the bases with two outs after center fielder Michael
Bourn and second baseman Jason Kipnis started the inning with
singles. After Samardzija walked first baseman Carlos Santana to
load the bases, he got right fielder Brandon Moss to fly out,
keeping the Indians scoreless.
Samardzija was efficient, striking out three while throwing 113
pitches.
The White Sox added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as
right fielder Avasail Garcia scored on Corey Kluber's wild pitch.
The 2014 American League Cy Young winner allowed a career-high 13
hits to the White Sox, giving up all six runs while walking one and
striking out six in six innings.
[to top of second column] |
NOTES: Robin Ventura managed his 500th game with the White Sox. Now
in his fourth year in Chicago, Ventura is 227-273. ... Entering his
fourth start of the season, RHP Jeff Samardzija had faced 61 batters
since allowing his last walk, which represented the second-longest
active streak in the major leagues behind the Mets' Matt Harvey
(73). He walked two Wednesday, ending the streak at 64. ... Indians
OF Michael Brantley was slotted as Cleveland's designated hitter.
Brantley has managed nagging back pain well, but manager Terry
Francona said the combination of playing a day game after a night
game and the Indians having a day off Thursday made moving Brantley
to DH logical. Brantley went 0-for-3.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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