Carrasco, Indians shut out White Sox

[June 12, 2018]  Carlos Carrasco allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings Monday night as the visiting Cleveland Indians blanked the Chicago White Sox 4-0 in the opener of a four-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The Indians have won five of six. The White Sox have alternated losses with wins in their past five games.

Carrasco (8-4) issued one walk and struck out 11. He surrendered both hits in the second inning, when Kevan Smith singled with one out and Charlie Tilson beat out an infield single with two outs. Carrasco then struck out Adam Engel to begin a stretch in which he retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.

It was the second straight strong start for Carrasco, who allowed one run and whiffed 10 over seven innings in earning the win against the Minnesota Twins last Wednesday. The back-to-back outings have lowered Carrasco's ERA from 4.50 to 3.90.

Zach McAllister, Oliver Perez and Neil Ramirez combined to throw two hitless innings in relief of Carrasco.

White Sox starter Lucas Giolito (4-7) matched Carrasco until the fourth, when he issued a pair of two-out walks before giving up the Indians' first two hits -- Lonnie Chisenhall's RBI single and a two-run double by Yan Gomes.

Michael Brantley homered off Giolito with one out in the fifth.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chisenhall finished with three hits.

Giolito allowed four runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three over five innings. It was the seventh time in 13 starts this season Giolito has recorded more walks than strikeouts. He has a 7.09 ERA and has walked 43 while whiffing 34 over 66 innings.

Yolmer Sanchez was hit by a pitch and recorded a stolen base for the White Sox.

The series is scheduled to resume Tuesday, when Indians rookie Adam Plutko takes the mound against White Sox veteran James Shields.

--Field Level Media

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