White Sox 2, Indians 1
CLEVELAND -- Carlos Rodon became the latest Chicago starter to stymie Cleveland as the White Sox completed a four-game series sweep with a 2-1 win over the Indians on Sunday at Progressive Field.
The White Sox outscored Cleveland 26-5 in the series. The White Sox never trailed at any point in the four games.
The four Chicago starters in the series -- Jeff Samardzija, Jose Quintana, Chris Sale and Rodon -- were a combined 4-0 with a 0.88 ERA. In 30 2/3 innings, the four starters held the Indians to three runs, with 27 strikeouts and no walks.
On Sunday, Rodon pitched a career-high 6 2/3 scoreless innings on five hits, with nine strikeouts and no walks. David Robertson pitched the ninth to pick up his 21st save.
Cleveland averted a shutout in the ninth inning when third baseman Giovanny Urshela tripled and scored on a groundout by pinch hitter David Murphy.
Right-hander Danny Salazar (8-6) started for Cleveland and pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.
The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when catcher Carlos Sanchez, who hit his first major league home run Saturday, led off the inning by hitting his second major league home run, over the wall in center field.
Chicago scored a run in the seventh inning, which began with a one-out single by Sanchez. Center fielder J.B. Shuck flied out for the second out, but third baseman Tyler Saladino walked. Right-hander Zach McAllister relieved Salazar. Left fielder Melky Cabrera greeted McAllister with a line drive single to center, scoring Sanchez and giving the White Sox a 2-0 lead.
Only once in the first five innings did Rodon allow a baserunner past first. Cleveland's best chance to score came in the third inning. Right fielder Brandon Moss led off with a single and catcher Roberto Perez doubled into the left field corner, moving Moss to third.
But with runners at second and third and no outs, Rodon pitched out of the jam without a run scoring. Third baseman Mike Aviles hit a sharp grounder to first baseman Jose Abreu, who threw home to catcher Tyler Flowers, who tagged out Moss for the first out.
Rodon then got second baseman Jason Kipnis, the hardest hitter in the American League to double up, to ground into an inning-ending double play. Kipnis came into the game having grounded into one double play in 376 at-bats.
In the fifth inning, Indians first baseman Jesus Aguilar was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. But Rodon retired the next three batters in order to keep Cleveland off the scoreboard.
The Indians threatened again in the seventh inning. Designated hitter Carlos Santana singled with one out. Aguilar struck out, but Moss singled, moving Santana to third. Right hander Jake Petricka relieved Rodon, and Petricka struck out Perez to end the inning.
NOTES: Indians OF/1B Nick Swisher, who has made two rehab appearances at Double-A Akron, is scheduled to make two more, Sunday and Monday. Swisher has been on the disabled list since June 14 with left knee inflammation. ... Prior to the game, the White Sox reinstated INF Emilio Bonifacio from the bereavement list and optioned INF Leury Garcia to Triple-A Charlotte. ... LHP Chris Sale struck out seven in his win Saturday. That snapped Sale's major league single-season record of for most consecutive road starts with 10 or more strikeouts at seven.