Brantley hits walk-off double as Indians edge White Sox in 10
CLEVELAND -- Michael Brantley's RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Cleveland Indians a 2-1 win in their home opener vs. the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at Progressive Field. The win snaps Cleveland's three-game losing streak.
With two outs in the 10th, Francisco Lindor walked. Brantley then hit a double into the left-field corner off Tommy Kahnle (0-1), scoring Lindor, who was running on the 3-2 pitch. Bryan Shaw (1-0) pitched two-thirds of a scoreless inning in the top of the 10th to get the win.
Lindor, who has been the Indians' hottest hitter in the first week of the season, gave Cleveland an early lead with a solo home run off Chicago starter James Shields in the first inning. The switch-hitting Lindor, batting left-handed, hit a 2-1 pitch from Shields into the right-field seats, giving the Indians a 1-0 lead. It's Lindor's fourth home run of the season. Last year, he did not hit his fourth home run until May 27.
Shields, in his second start of the season, pitched well, retiring 12 batters in a row at one point. He was removed from the game in the sixth inning with his pitch count at 92. In 5 1/3 innings he gave up one run on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco also pitched well, holding the White Sox to one run on four hits through seven innings. The only run came on a home run by Todd Frazier, leading off the fifth inning. Frazier came into the game hitting .059 (1-for-17). Frazier doubled and homered in his first two at-bats against Carrasco.
Carrasco pitched seven innings, giving up one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Frazier's home run tied it at 1, and it then it became a battle of the bullpens.
NOTES: Indians 2B Jason Kipnis (right shoulder inflammation) and OF Lonnie Chisenhall (right shoulder sprain) both worked out with the Indians prior to the game, although both players remain on the disabled list. Both players will return to Double-A Akron on Wednesday to resume their injury rehab assignments. ... Prior to the game, the Indians received their AL championship rings. ... Ceremonial first pitches at the Indians' home opener were thrown by former Cleveland sports greats Jim Brown, Austin Carr, and Jim Thome. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon, is on the disabled list with left biceps bursitis. He is in Arizona to continue a throwing program. He will be re-evaluated during the next homestand, which starts on April 21. ... RHP Dylan Covey will start Friday for the White Sox against Minnesota. It will be the first major-league start for Covey, who was a Rule-5 selection from Oakland.