Indians 4, White Sox 2
Kosuke Fukudome finished with three hits - including the one that literally knocked Chicago's starting pitcher out of the game - as the Cleveland Indians prevailed 4-2 over the host White Sox on Thursday night.
Fukudome's most productive game since coming to the Indians in a deadline-day trade was overshadowed by the ball he hit in the second inning that struck White Sox righthander Philip Humber above his right eye. Humber went down in a heap but left the field on his own strength and was alert and responsive to tests afterward.
Fukudome added the go-ahead triple in the sixth inning off Will Ohman (0-3) and scored an insurance run on a bases-loaded walk as the Indians moved within a game-and-a-half of the idle Detroit Tigers atop the American League Central standings. The win also put another game's worth of distance between Cleveland and the third-place White Sox, who now trail the Indians by 2 1/2 games.
Matt LaPorta added a two-run homer in support of Cleveland starter Justin Masterson (10-7), who allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings. Thursday's victory helped Masterson avenged a loss to the White Sox in their last encounter July 24.
Chris Perez worked a perfect ninth inning for his 27th save of the season.
Paul Konerko's solo home run in the third inning provided one of the few highlights for the White Sox, who still lead the season series 7-3 and will face Cleveland seven more times in September.