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 They started that process with a 7-3 win over the Cleveland
Indians that included a boost from another of their talented young
players.
First baseman Jose Abreu hit two home runs and went 2-for-4 with
three RBIs, helping the White Sox beat Indians starter Danny Salazar
(0-1) and end their 14-game losing streak against the Indians.
White Sox starter John Danks (1-0) pitched six innings and allowed
three runs, shortstop Alexei Ramirez also homered and had two hits
and three RBIs, and Chicago got its first win against Cleveland
since last April 24.
The Indians went 17-2 against Chicago in 2013. The 14-game streak
was the longest active for one team against another in baseball.
The home runs were Abreu's third and fourth of the season. He became
the first White Sox player to have two multi-homer games within his
first 10 career games.
This season, he and Garcia were supposed to inject life into what
had been a moribund offense last year. Now, Garcia will not be
around to help Abreu.
"It is sad and it's difficult and especially because we had a really
good relationship. These are some of those things that life throws a
lot and we are not expecting," Abreu said through a translator.
"It's very difficult for me like I mentioned before because of the
relationship that I have with Avi."
The White Sox are also forming a good relationship with Abreu, whose
14 RBIs in the first 10 games are the most for a Chicago player
since Ron Kittle's 14 in 1983.
"Well, I've been working with him in the cage the last couple days,"
White Sox manager Robin Ventura joked. "He's just really good.
That's the simple fact is he's a good hitter. Going around the
league I think you would give the advantage to the pitchers just
because you haven't seen them.
"Eventually, there's going to be some back and forth of trying to
figure out how to pitch him, but he's just talented."
The same could be said of Salazar, who had a historically bizarre
night for the Indians. Salazar matched a career high with 10
strikeouts but only lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and
five runs, including a homer apiece by Abreu and Ramirez.
"I was trying to be too aggressive with (the breaking balls),"
Salazar said. "I was just leaving it up."
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Per Elias, Salazar became the first pitcher since 1900 to strike out
10 in less than four innings.
"I rather see it over seven innings. Again, the stuff is there,"
Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He is young. He is still
learning how to pitch. We love him to death, but there is still some
learning to do."
Meanwhile, Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera hit his first home run
of the season and left fielder Ryan Raburn had two hits for the
Indians, who did not do much against Danks after scoring twice in
the first.
Danks, like the rest of the White Sox, recovered from a tough start
to end the day on a positive note.
"That news is never good, but guys have played long enough that you
know injuries happen," Ventura said. "Everybody feels bad for Avi,
that's true, but you just have to keep going."
NOTES: Cleveland INF Lonnie Chisenhall was placed on the paternity
list before Thursday's game. Chisenhall hit safely in all five games
in which he appeared, picking up six hits for a .400 average. INF
Justin Sellers was recalled to replace him. Chisenhall's wife gave
birth to a boy. ... Cleveland OF Michael Bourn, on the disabled list
with a left hamstring strain, moved his rehab assignment to Double-A
Akron on Thursday and went 0-for-4 with a walk. Francona did not
have a firm timeline for the veteran's return. ... White Sox 2B
Gordon Beckham (oblique) is close to restarting his rehab
assignment. GM Rick Hahn said there is a chance that Beckham could
return in the next few days. ... The White Sox acquired minor league
OF Gorkys Hernandez from the Kansas City Royals for cash
considerations. ... Friday's pitching matchup is Cleveland RHP
Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 6.35 ERA) against Chicago LHP Chris Sale (2-0,
1.76 ERA).
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