White Sox 4, Indians 3
A.J. Pierzynski hit a ninth-inning three-run homer – with Manny Ramirez standing on deck – and Edwin Jackson pitched into the ninth in Chicago’s 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.
Pierzynski’s homer off reliever Frank Herrmann was his first since July 9 and came after reliever Joe Smith (1-2) walked two of the three batters he faced. It spoiled what would’ve been Ramirez’s debut with the White Sox.
Ramirez joined the team on Monday and was not in the starting lineup, but was ready to pinch hit in the ninth for Brent Lillibridge. After Pierzynski’s homer, Ramirez returned to the dugout. He will make his debut in Wednesday’s series finale.
Jackson (9-10) and Justin Masterson took a scoreless pitcher’s duel into the seventh, when Shelley Duncan homered to give Cleveland a brief 1-0 lead.
Chicago’s Mark Teahen tied it with an RBI single in the eighth off Masterson, who entered with a 5.33 ERA, but allowed just the one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Jackson (9-10) threw 129 pitches and struck out 11, but was removed after Jason Donald’s two-run single with two outs in the ninth. Bobby Jenks got the final out for his 24th save in 28 chances.