White Sox bullpen loses lead and game in finale to Indians

Jul 13, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

John Danks

(50) delivers in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

John Danks had another solid start and the Chicago White Sox offense woke up late, but all of it was for naught, with the Cleveland Indians taking advantage of a below average White Sox bullpen for a 3-2 loss for Chicago.

As the White Sox head into the All-Star break, they are six games under the .500 mark at 45-51, fourth place in the AL Central.

The White Sox trailed most of the game 1-0, but an eighth inning where Gordon Beckham and Leury Garcia each had RBI singles looked to put the “Good Guys” in a good spot, leading 2-1 after seven strong innings from Danks on the mound.

That wasn’t the case, as Javy Guerra allowed a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth by Yan Gomes to put the Indians ahead by the final 3-2 score.

Besides Danks, the White Sox offense seemed uninterested in this game a majority of the time, and it showed by their play on the field at at the plate. It was an overall bad effort offensively by the White Sox and it eventually came down to the inconsistency of the poor bullpen.

Chicago was 2-for-9 with RISP, stranding 12 runners on the bases.

Danks in the no-decision went seven innings, allowed one earned run on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four, lowering his season ERA to 3.99.

For Danks, he pitched out of a couple jams in this game, including once with the bases loaded with one out. The Indians left 10 runners stranded, as they were 1-for-9 with RISP.

The White Sox have to like what they’ve seen from Danks as of late. In his last four starts, Danks has allowed three or less earned runs. In his past 10 starts Danks is 5-2, and this season he is 8-6 overall.

The blown save and loss went to Guerra (0-2), who allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks. He struck out one.

Carlos Sanchez made his MLB debut for the White Sox, playing shortstop in place of a resting Alexei Ramirez who was injured on Saturday. Sanchez was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.

Jose Abreu went 3-for-5 with three singles and a strikeout. Gillaspie, Tyler Flowers and Leury Garcia each had two hits.