Bauer's gem carries Indians over White Sox, 6-2

[June 19, 2018]  Trevor Bauer racked up eight strikeouts in seven scoreless innings, and the Cleveland Indians pulled away for a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night at Progressive Field.

Jason Kipnis went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs to lead the Indians at the plate. Roberto Perez added a pair of doubles and two RBIs as Cleveland improved to 6-2 against Chicago this season.

Matt Davidson doubled and homered for the White Sox, who lost their fifth in a row.

Only Mother Nature could stop Bauer (6-5), who did not return to the mound after a 35-minute rain delay in the bottom of the seventh. The storm snapped his bid to record double-digit strikeouts for the fifth consecutive start, which would have tied Corey Kluber's franchise record.

The 27-year-old Bauer now has 129 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings. The only pitchers with more strikeouts than Bauer this season are Washington's Max Scherzer (152) and Houston's Gerrit Cole (138).

White Sox starter Dylan Covey (3-2) allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings to draw his first loss since April 28. The right-hander gave up six hits, walked five and struck out two.

Cleveland jumped to an early 3-0 lead after loading the bases in the second. Perez, who entered the game hitting .136 (11-for-81), smacked a ground-rule double to right field to score two. Francisco Lindor followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) turns a double play after forcing out Chicago White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada (10) in the third inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Kipnis increased the Indians' lead to 4-0 one inning later when he singled to drive in Rajai Davis.

In the fifth, Kipnis pulled an inside fastball over the wall in right-center field for his fifth home run.

Cleveland loaded the bases with nobody out in the sixth but scored only one run to make it 6-0. Lonnie Chisenhall's two-out walk allowed Lindor to trot home from third base.

The White Sox ended the shutout in the eighth when Yolmer Sanchez singled to drive in Adam Engel. Davidson added a solo shot in the ninth to finish the scoring.

Indians first baseman Yonder Alonso was activated him from the Family Medical Emergency List and finished 0-for-5. In a corresponding move, the club optioned outfielder Greg Allen to Triple-A Columbus.

--Field Level Media

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