Indians 5, White Sox 2
CHICAGO -- Danny Salazar threw six scoreless innings, and the Cleveland Indians rode a heavy dose of early offense to a 5-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Indians (17-23) put together their first three-game winning streak of the season while earning their fifth victory in seven games.
The White Sox (18-20) continue to move in the opposite direction, falling for the third straight time after stringing together six straight victories. Chicago dropped a home series for the first time this season, losing three of four to the Indians.
Anchored by an early 5-0 cushion, Salazar (5-1) found trouble only once in his outing. Outside of the third inning when the White Sox loaded the bases, Salazar was in complete control, striking out eight while scattering five hits and three walks.
Third baseman Mike Aviles sparked Cleveland's offense with four hits.He and designated hitter Nick Swisher each hit first-inning solo homers.
Chicago posted its only two runs on a catcher Tyler Flowers' ninth-inning, two-run home run off Indians reliever Bryan Shaw, a 436-foot shot.
The White Sox's only other offensive bright spot was first baseman Jose Abreu, who extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a first-inning single.
The Indians jumped on White Sox starter John Danks, scoring four first-inning runs.
Swisher and Aviles hit back-to-back home runs after left fielder Michael Brantley drove in a run with an RBI single and first baseman Carlos Santana scored from third base on a double play.
Danks' rocky start came on the heels of an impressive 13-game stretch for White Sox starters. During that period, Chicago's staff turned in nine quality starts while allowing 27 earned runs in 80 2/3 innings (3.01 ERA) while striking out 81.
That changed Thursday.
The Indians extended their lead to 5-0 in the second on Santana's RBI groundout that scored catcher Roberto Perez, who walked to lead off the inning.
Danks (2-4) settled in and kept Cleveland scoreless before he was pulled after 5 1/3 innings. He departed after allowing the five runs, six hits and four walks with three strikeouts.
NOTES: The Indians activated LHP TJ House (left shoulder inflammation) off the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus. Manager Terry Francona said moving House down was a matter of keeping the active roster intact, allowing RHP Shaun Marcum to stay in the rotation after picking up a victory in his first major league start in almost two years Wednesday. ... Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana returned to the starting lineup after missing four games due to back spasms. ... Indians C Yan Gomes (knee) played designated hitter in a rehab start for Columbus on Thursday. He will catch nine innings Friday and likely will return to the major league lineup Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. ...White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper will miss games Friday and Saturday against the Minnesota Twins due to a family graduation. Bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen will oversee the pitching staff from the dugout.