Sanchez delivers White Sox to series win vs. Indians
CHICAGO -- Carlos Sanchez drove in the winning run on a one-out single in the ninth inning to give the Chicago White Sox a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday afternoon.
The White Sox (71-75) took three of four games in the series from the American League Central leaders.
Omar Narvaez singled to begin the bottom of the ninth. Leury Garcia pinch ran and stole second and scored on Sanchez's single to right center off Bryan Shaw (2-5). Sanchez entered the game batting just .173.
White Sox closer David Robertson (5-3) struck out Coco Crisp with two in scoring position to preserve a tied game in the ninth.
Tyler Naquin led off the inning with a single. Abraham Almonte bunted into a fielder's choice, stole second and advanced on catcher Narvaez's throwing error. Robertson struck out pinch hitter Francisco Lindor but walked pinch hitter Rajai Davis, who stole second, before the big strikeout.
In the eighth, Melky Cabrera doubled with two outs before Abreu was intentionally walked. Bryan Shaw took the mound and struck out Todd Frazier to end the inning.
The White Sox won the first two games of the series before the Indians took Wednesday's contest.
The Indians (84-62) have won 11 of their last 17 and held a six-game lead over Detroit in the division.
The White Sox last won a series against Cleveland in July 2015. They are 6-10 against the Indians this season.
Starter James Shields struck out eight, a season high with the White Sox. He also allowed one run on three hits and three walks in six innings. Shields was 0-5 with a 10.75 ERA while winless in his previous eight starts.
Shields retired nine consecutive batters before allowing a Carlos Santana single in the sixth. Shields then walked Tyler Naquin before striking out Almonte to end the inning.
Indians rookie Mike Clevinger allowed a run and three hits in four innings. He has pitched past the fifth inning once in five starts since he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 4.
Abreu's 24th home run tied the game at 1 in the fourth. He needs six home runs and five RBIs to join Angels first baseman Albert Pujols as the only players in major league history to have at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in each of their first three seasons. Abreu has five home runs in September.
The Indians took the lead on Jose Ramirez's sacrifice fly in the third inning. Cleveland scored just one run despite loading the bases twice against Shields via a single, two walks and a hit batter. Shields also threw two wild pitches in the inning.
The White Sox were unable to score after loading the bases in the first. Cabrera and Abreu each singled before Todd Frazier drew a walk. Narvaez popped out to end the inning.
NOTES: Indians RF Lonnie Chisenhall was scratched from the lineup shortly before the game due to lower abdominal discomfort. LF Coco Crisp batted leadoff and Abraham Almonte started in right field. ... The Indians are expected to find out if C Yan Gomes (right shoulder) is ready to be activated from the disabled list on Friday. Gomes is expected to undergo a scan Thursday after he was hit by a pitch during a rehab game Wednesday with Double-A Akron. ... SS Francisco Lindor entered Thursday with 178 hits, and manager Terry Francona said it would be "quite an accomplishment" for Lindor to reach 200 this season. Lindor is also trying to become the first Indians' hitter to score 100 runs in a season since SS Jhonny Peralta had 104 in 2008. Lindor had 92 runs before Thursday's game. ... DH Mike Napoli can become the first Indians hitter with 100 RBIs in a season since Travis Hafner had 100 and Victor Martinez had 114 in 2007. Napoli had 92 entering Thursday's game. ... White Sox DH Justin Morneau (stiff neck) was out of the lineup for a third straight game. ... White Sox 1B Jose Abreu needs seven home runs and six RBIs to join Angels 1B Albert Pujols as the lone players in major league history to have 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs in each of their first three seasons.