Indians 4, White Sox 3
CHICAGO -- Right-hander Shaun Marcum made a triumphant return as a starting pitcher, helping the Cleveland Indians to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
Marcum (1-0) celebrated his first win since June 26, 2013, when he beat the White Sox while pitching for the New York Mets. He allowed two runs, four hits and no walks with six strikeouts as the Indians won their second straight.
It was Marcum's first start since July 6, 2013, with the Mets. He went on the disabled list later that month, underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on his shoulder and a lengthy recovery followed.
Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez went 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and two walks.
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu extended a hitting streak to 15 games with a ninth-inning single.
White Sox left-hander Dan Jennings (0-2) took the loss after officially working one-third of an inning in the seventh and allowing three runs and two hits.
White Sox left-handed starter Carlos Rodon departed after six innings with the score tied. He allowed one run, four hits, five walks and struck out four in his third start of the season.
Right-handed reliever Cody Allen loaded the bases with one out in the ninth and gave up one run but escaped to post his eighth save. After third baseman Conor Gillaspie popped out on a first pitch, shortstop Alexei Ramirez's infield RBI single scored Abreu to make it 4-3. Pinch hitter J.B. Shuck struck out to end the game.
Cleveland went up 4-1 in the seventh as Jennings surrendered a one-out single to Ramirez to score catcher Brett Hayes for the go-ahead run. Left fielder Michael Brantley followed with a double to deep right to bring home center fielder Michael Bourn and Ramirez.
Chicago trimmed the margin to 4-2 with two outs in the seventh on Gillaspie's second home run of the season.
Marcum departed after that and right-handed reliever Zach McAllister closed the inning.
Center fielder Adam Eaton gave Chicago a 1-0 lead in the third with a two-out home run to right off Marcum. Eaton's first homer of the season was only his second since April 12, 2014, also against Cleveland.
The Indians had a first-inning threat with runners at first and second with two outs, but designated hitter Nick Swisher grounded into an inning-ending fielder's choice.
In the second, Cleveland had third baseman Mike Aviles perched on second with two outs, but Bourn struck out to close the inning.
NOTES: The start of the game was delayed 31 minutes as light rain moved through the Chicago area. ... Indians 1B Carlos Santana missed his fourth consecutive game with back spasms, but manager Terry Francona reported Santana could return Thursday. ... Since being inserted in the leadoff spot 22 games earlier, Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis batted .411 with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs and 13 RBIs entering Wednesday. ... Chicago 1B Jose Abreu was looking to extend his current hitting streak to 14 games. ... Cleveland RHP Shaun Marcum made his first major league start since July 6, 2013, with the New York Mets. He threw five innings of relief April 12 in his only other appearance for Cleveland. ... Indians RHP Danny Salazar (4-1, 4.06 ERA) goes against White Sox LHP John Danks (2-3, 4.66 ERA) in Thursday's series finale.