Indians rebound in Chicago to even series
CHICAGO -- Carlos Carrasco made his first appearance since getting hit with a Melky Cabrera line drive in the face one week ago a winning one, as the Indians topped the White Sox by a 6-2 margin Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Carrasco worked five innings and struck out eight, allowing four hits, including a Jose Abreu homer. Five of Carrasco's first six outs were strikeouts.
"I thought he pitched really well. I thought he used his offspeed especially well, changeup, breaking ball," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona. "He located real well and stayed ahead. I thought he did a good job."
Video: CLE@CWS: Carrasco fans eight over five sharp frames
"He throws hard. I mean, he was getting it up there close to 100 [mph] and had a great changeup tonight," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Carrasco. "The way he commands that back and forth, it's tough to sit there and try to sit on a changeup or an offspeed pitch when he's getting it up there to 98, 99."
The biggest news for the White Sox on Tuesday came from the Major League debut for Carlos Rodon, the team's top prospect, according to MLB.com, who entered the contest with runners on first and third and two outs in the sixth. Ryan Raburn's single scored two in the frame, and Rodon allowed two of his own runs in the seventh. Rodon threw 60 pitches, of which just 29 were strikes, allowing two runs on three hits. He fanned Lonnie Chisenhall and walked three.
Video: CLE@CWS: Rodon fans Chisenhall for first career K
David Murphy and Carlos Santana homered for Cleveland off of White Sox starter Hector Noesi, who allowed four runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He fanned five and walked one.
"Really, the only thing that happened to him were the two homers early in that game," said Ventura of Noesi. "I thought, as far as command and things like that, he was a lot better than his first one here."
Video: CLE@CWS: Murphy clubs a towering go-ahead solo homer
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Pitcher's best friend: Carrasco was in control throughout his stint, but had to work out of trouble in the third after the White Sox started the inning with back-to-back singles. The right-hander got a measure of revenge on Cabrera by getting him to bounce into a double play. Carrasco then struck out Abreu to end the inning. More >
Video: CLE@CWS: Carrasco whiffs Abreu to escape the jam
Nearly another comeback: After scoring four in the ninth to come back Monday, the White Sox had a chance to do the same on Tuesday in the eighth inning. Abreu singled home a run and the White Sox eventually loaded the bases with two outs, making Avisail Garcia the tying run. But Bryan Shaw struck him out to end the threat.
Video: CLE@CWS: Shaw whiffs Garcia to work out of trouble
Dialing long distance: Abreu homered with two outs in the first to give the White Sox an early 1-0 lead. It was the 40th career home run for Abreu, who set the single-season rookie mark for the White Sox with 36 last season.
Video: CLE@CWS: Abreu puts a solo home run on the board
QUOTABLE
"I can't ever be inside his head or anyone else's. Just like everything in our game, the mental part is different for everybody." -- Francona, discussing Carrasco getting back on the mound after being hit in the face last week.
"Maybe overthrowing, but there are no excuses. Just have to be good in that situation." -- Rodon, discussing his big league debut. More >
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Raburn entered batting .364 (24-for-66) with four homers and 22 RBIs in his last 18 games at U.S. Cellular Field before his pinch-hit two-run single in the sixth off Rodon (on a 98-mph fastball) to give the Tribe a 4-1 lead. Raburn also doubled in the eighth, just missing a homer as the ball bounced off the top of the wall back into play.
What is it about the place that he likes so much?
"I couldn't tell you. I wish I knew," Raburn said. "But I see the ball pretty good here. The ballpark's definitely been good to me and hopefully it continues."
Video: CLE@CWS: Raburn strokes a two-run single to left
WHAT'S NEXT
Indians: Corey Kluber, still looking for his first win of the season despite a 2.49 ERA over his first three outings, starts the series finale at 2:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Kluber went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA against the White Sox last season.
White Sox: Jeff Samardzija, looking for his first victory as a member of the White Sox, makes his first career appearance against the Indians at 1:10 p.m. CT. He allowed one run over eight innings in his last start against the Tigers, striking out seven .
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