Pierre lifts White Sox over Indians in 14th inning

Juan Pierre’s game-ending single in the 14th inning capped a wild, five-hour marathon as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 8-7 on Tuesday night.

Gordon Beckham doubled off Chad Durbin (2-2) with one out in the final inning, advancing to third on Brent Morel’s infield single.

David Huff relieved Durbin to face Pierre, who singled to left to win it.

Jason Frasor (3-2) worked the top of the inning to earn the victory.

The White Sox have won nine of 11 and remain 3 1-2 games behind the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers. The loss drops the second-place Indians to three games back.

Cleveland rallied to tie the game in the ninth on a pair of defensive miscues by the White Sox. After Sergio Santos issued a one-out walk, Michael Brantley popped a single in front of center fielder Alex Rios, who had just come in as a defensive replacement.

Alejandro De Aza moved over to right field to take over for Carlos Quentin, who Rios replaced.

With runners on first and third, Shin-soo Choo tapped a slow roller to second base. Beckham thought about throwing home but hesitated and dropped the ball. He was only able to get a force out at second, allowing the tying run to score.

It was Santos’ fourth blown save in 29 chances this year.

De Aza tripled in runs in the second and sixth. He became the first White Sox player to triple twice in a game since Alex Cintron on April 13, 2006.

Paul Konerko extended his hit streak to 12 games with four more hits. After doubling in the fifth, Konerko tagged up at second and slid into third on Carlos Quentin’s fly out to center, later scoring on Alexei Ramirez’s triple.

The White Sox captain has been hobbled by his left knee since being hit by a pitch on July 31 against Boston. He has been unable to play in the field but has hit in every game since returning to action on Aug. 4.

Tyler Flowers and Rios also tripled for the White Sox, who tallied five three-baggers in one game for the first time since Sept. 17, 1920 against the New York Yankees. The club record is six triples, a feat achieved three different times. The White Sox had just eight triples on the year coming into the game.

Rios tripled to lead off the 11th, but the White Sox stranded him on third.

Pierre hit a solo home run off Cleveland starter Ubaldo Jimenez in the fourth. It was his second homer of the season and 16th in his 12-year career.

Gavin Floyd struck out nine over 5 2-3 innings. He allowed five runs on five hits in the no-decision. He retired the first nine batters he faced, including seven strikeouts. He struck out the side in the second.

Jiminez allowed five runs, four earned, on nine hits over 4 2-3 innings, throwing 105 pitches. He struck out five and walked one.