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 Called up as the 26th man for a doubleheader, Anderson led the
Cleveland Indians to a 5-1 victory Monday at U.S. Cellular Field
that split a doubleheader that started a four-game series against
the Chicago White Sox.
The Indians hit three home runs and Anderson allowed just one run in
seven innings for the win, lowing his earned-run average of 7.99 to
6.81.
"I really just kind of focused in the bullpen (before the game) on
what I did at Triple-A and was able to get the ball down in the zone
and bury a couple pitches when I needed to," said Anderson, who
struck out nine and walked none. "It's huge to give the team a
chance to win. It was the first time in a while."
It was Anderson's third career start against the White Sox and
second this season, after allowing two runs in six innings for a
no-decision April 9 in Chicago's 7-3 win.
"He had really good stuff today," said Chicago's Austin Jackson, who
went 1-for-3 with a triple and was thrown out at the plate on a
ground ball in the eighth. "He was throwing all of his pitches for
strikes, kind of keeping us off balance, and we just really couldn't
get anything going off of him."
 Rajai Davis, Juan Uribe and Jose Ramirez each hit home runs to lead
the way offensively for Cleveland, with Ramirez's homer giving him
two for the day and three on the season. The Indians (23-20) scored
once in the second and twice in both the fifth and seventh off
Chicago starter Erik Johnson (0-2), who allowed five runs in 6 2/3
innings.
Bryan Shaw pitched a scoreless eighth and Cody Allen worked the
ninth for Cleveland.
Todd Frazier went 2-for-4 with a double and Melky Cabrera went
2-for-4 to lead the White Sox (27-19), who retained their 2 1/2 game
lead in the AL Central with the split. They could've pushed it to 4
1/2 after winning the first game 7-6, but Anderson made sure that
didn't happen with his best start of the season.
"He gave up four or five hits early and then nothing after that,"
Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He missed some bats, had some
strikeouts, no walks and that was really good. For one, we needed a
win, but it's nice to see him pitch like that."
Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Ramirez's solo
homer. Chicago tied it 1-1 on back-to-back hits with two outs in the
third, including a double by Frazier, but the Indians went back in
front 3-1 in the fifth on Davis' two-run homer off Johnson with two
outs.
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In the first game, the White Sox won on home runs from Brett Lawrie
and Frazier, plus six solid innings out of starter Mat Latos, who
improved to 6-1 on the season. They had a chance to break the game
open early against Anderson in the nightcap, but struggling Cuban
slugger Jose Abreu left runners on base in both the first and third
innings.
Abreu, who's hitting .236, went 1-for-9 in the two games.
"Anytime we get guys on, you want to be able to do it, especially
after winning the first game of a doubleheader," White Sox manager
Robin Ventura said. "But their guy was up to it."
NOTES: The first game of Monday's doubleheader between Cleveland and
Chicago was the 18,000th game in the Indians' history. The second
game was the 18,000th game in White Sox history. According to STATS,
Inc., it's the first time in major league history two teams playing
each other have reached milestone games on the same day. ... Chicago
recalled RHP Tommy Kahnle from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday as their
26th man. Kahnle, 26, was active for both games against the Indians.
... Following the first game, Chicago recalled RHP Erik Johnson and
optioned 2B Carlos Sanchez to Triple-A Charlotte. Johnson started
the second game. ... The Indians recalled RHP Cody Anderson from
Triple-A Columbus as their 26th man, and he started the second game.
... Cleveland placed RHP Joba Chamberlain (left intercostal strain
on the 15-day disabled list Monday and recalled LHP Ryan Merritt
from Triple-A Columbus. ... Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (left
hamstring strain) threw a three-inning simulated game followed by 10
more pitches in the bullpen. He will make a three-inning rehab start
May 28 with Low-A Lake County. ... LF Michael Brantley (right
rotator cuff) will start swinging a bat Tuesday and be re-evaluated
after Cleveland returns home following this series.
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