White Sox Sale past Indians after 5-run first

CLEVELAND -- The White Sox continued their strong play, defeating the Indians by more than six runs in a third consecutive game with a 10-3 victory at Progressive Field on Saturday night.

"We're just putting it together," White Sox winning pitcher Chris Sale said. "We had a six-run lead and we had guys diving for balls in the outfield, hustling down the line. This is what we've seen the whole time and know we can play like."

Indians starter Carlos Carrasco (10-8, 4.26 ERA) allowed a career-high five first-inning runs, and was pulled from the game after just four innings and 85 pitches. Carrasco gave up a season-high six earned runs on seven hits, two walks and a home run, striking out five.

"He couldn't reel it in," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Carrasco. "He had to work so hard every inning. It seemed like he had one clean inning. His pitch count was so high after four, I just thought it would do him some good [to remove him], rather than have him go back out and maybe labor through another inning."

Video: CWS@CLE: Sale fans seven over seven frames

Sale (9-5, 2.85 ERA) held the Indians in check over seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk. The All-Star owns a 2.05 ERA in his last 14 starts, with 144 strikeouts and just 14 walks.

The Indians dropped into sole possession of last place in the American League Central Division and have lost a four-game series for the first time this season. The White Sox have won their first series in Cleveland since October 2012 and have outscored the Indians, 24-4, in the first three games of this set.

"They've outplayed us in every facet," Francona said. "They've pitched better than us, they've hit better than us. I hope that changes tomorrow. We've got about 12 hours to try and remedy that."

Video: CWS@CLE: Francona discusses Carrasco's outing in loss

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
An opening turnaround: Having been outscored, 72-27, in the first inning entering Saturday's game, the White Sox turned the tables on Carrasco and the Indians. They knocked out six hits, with two-run singles coming from Jose Abreu and Tyler Flowers. The White Sox scored one fewer run in four batters Saturday as the Indians have the entire series.

"You get out in front. Especially with Sailor going it's nice to have," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You know you're going to have him going out there. He gives you what he usually does, he gives you pretty close to unhittable stuff.

"But the offense tonight, it was great to see. They added on, especially in the first inning, you get the balls going through the infield and everybody, it is contagious. You get a good feeling of guys going up there and having good at-bats. Just a nice game all the way around."

Video: CWS@CLE: Flowers drives a pair with a single

Babe Sanchez: Carlos Sanchez, Chicago's No. 9 hitter and slick-fielding second baseman, connected on a 1-2 pitch from Carrasco with two outs in the fourth for his first career home run. The ball, which was retrieved for Sanchez, traveled an estimated 404 feet.

"I am very happy for this moment," said Sanchez, through interpreter and White Sox Spanish language broadcaster Billy Russo. "I was waiting for this moment for a long time."

Video: CW@CLE: Sanchez belts his first Major League home run

Thank you, Jesus: Indians designated hitter Jesus Aguilar singled up the middle with two outs in the fifth inning, scoring Carlos Santana, for his first RBI of the season. Aguilar was called up prior to Friday's game.

"We scratched, we hit some balls firm," Francona said. "It was hard for us to bunch them together, which not too many teams do. It would have been nice, I think, if somebody could have just popped one to make it interesting."

Video: CWS@CLE: Aguilar's RBI single gets Indians on board

QUOTABLE
"Like I said before, I don't know where we are in the standings but if we keep winning games we'll will be in a good position, especially if we keep winning like we played tonight." -- Sale, on if the White Sox still can reach the postseason More >

REPLAY REVIEW
Ventura challenged an out call on Adam Eaton's slow roller up the middle fielded by second baseman Mike Aviles with one out in the seventh. The replay review overturned the call and gave Eaton an infield single, his second hit and fourth time on base for the night.

Video: CWS@CLE: Eaton safe at second after overturned call

THE STREAK IS OVER
Sale had gone seven straight road starts with 10 or more strikeouts prior to Saturday's start in Cleveland. The southpaw settled for seven over seven innings.

WHAT'S NEXT
White Sox: Carlos Rodon takes the mound Sunday at 12:10 p.m. CT as the White Sox go for a four-game sweep at Progressive Field. Rodon got knocked out after just four innings in his last start against the Cardinals, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks.

Indians: Right-hander Danny Salazar will look to help the Indians avoid the sweep in a 1:10 p.m. ET start at Progressive Field. One of Salazar's two scoreless starts this season came against the White Sox, when he struck out eight over six innings in Chicago on May 21.

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