Chicago White Sox ‘break streak’ in victory vs. Cleveland Indians
Apr 3, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a double against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a first inning that made it look as though it was going to be a very long evening for the Chicago White Sox, it turned out to be a night of power and pitching for the “Good Guys,” winning by a 7-3 score over the Cleveland Indians.
This was one of the exciting nights, and the losing streak against the Indians is over. With the win, the Sox snapped a 14-game losing streak against the Indians, as Chicago was 2-17 against them last season.
The power was off the bats of Jose Abreu and Alexei Ramirez, with the duo combining for three home runs.
Abreu had his second multi-home run game of his rookie season, hitting an absolute bomb in the bottom of the second inning off a slider. He finished with another home run in the fifth inning, also a solo shot off a slider.
The White Sox first baseman, Abreu, has 14 RBIs this season, taking the MLB lead in the stat. That production is a big reason Chicago has now moved back to .500 at 5-5 overall.
Ramirez hit his home run (solo) off a change-up in the bottom of the third. He also had a two-run double with one out in the bottom of the fourth, putting the White Sox ahead, 5-3.
By the way, do you realize the White Sox (5-5) have the No. 1 offense in the American League? More on that later.
One of the biggest reasons the White Sox gained this victory was they made Indians starter Danny Salazar throw many, many pitches, staying away from his fast ball, forcing him to use his off-speed pitches.
That strategy by Chicago forced Salazar (0-1) to pitch 3.2 innings, but he also had 10 strikeouts in that span. Salazar’s final line was five earned runs, six hits and two walks. Two of those hits were home runs, as he ERA moves to 6.75.
The winner was John Danks. Danks went six innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out four.
The bullpen of Daniel Webb and Matt Lindstrom provided a rarity for the White Sox pen … no runs allowed.
NONE. (No, that wasn’t a typo).
Adam Eaton also had a two-hit night, batting in one runner, and is proving the White Sox smart for trading for him, as he’s batting .310 from the lead-off spot through 10 games.
In other White Sox facts/opinions:
• Chicago was 3-for-8 with runners in RISP, leaving five batters stranded.
• The White Sox scored all their runs from the second through seventh innings.
• Their team batting average of .287 is the best in the AL. How about that? For a team being .500 overall, and the team hitting the way they are … it shows just how the pitching has performed at times this season.
• Chicago also leads the AL in home runs with 15.
• They also had 102 hits … the Boston Red Sox are second in the AL with 90, as are the New York Yankees.
• Again, the 59 RBIs this season by Chicago puts them in first place in the AL. Next in line are the Minnesota Twins with 42.
• The Indians were led at the plate by Asdrubal Cabrera and Ryan Raburn with two hits each. Cabrera hit a home run in the third inning.
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