Peavy strikes out 11 in Sox victory
CLEVELAND — Jake Peavy struck out 11 in seven innings, Paul Konerko homered and the Chicago White Sox broke a five-game losing streak, beating the Cleveland Indians 3-1 Sunday.
The White Sox went into the game as the majors’ only winless team on the road. Chicago was swept three games in Washington before dropping the first two against the Indians. The White Sox avoided their first 0-6 start on the road since 1968.
Peavy (2-1) gave up a home run to Michael Bourn on his first pitch of the game — a line drive that landed in Chicago’s bullpen — but held the Indians to five hits overall and didn’t walk a batter.
Bourn left the game in the eighth with a cut on his right hand. First baseman Adam Dunn fielded Bourn’s slow grounder and tossed to pitcher Matt Thornton, who was covering on the play. Bourn made a headfirst into the bag for an infield hit, but Thornton stepped on his hand. Indians manager Terry Francona and a trainer examined Bourn, who was removed.
Peavy retired 12 straight batters at one point and improved to 4-0 in five career starts against Cleveland.
Addison Reed pitched the ninth for his fourth save, retiring Jason Giambi with a runner on to end the game.
Konerko’s two-run homer ruined a solid effort from Brett Myers (0-2), who took a shutout into the sixth. Cleveland’s right-hander allowed 14 earned runs, including seven homers, in 10 1-3 innings in his first two appearances, but held the White Sox to four hits through five.
After Jeff Keppinger reached on third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall’s error to begin the sixth, Alex Rios bounced into a double play. Dunn walked and Konerko hit a 3-1 pitch into the bleachers.
Jason Giambi made his first appearance for the Indians, starting as the designated hitter and going hitless in four at-bats. He began the season on the disabled list with a strained back and was activated Friday.
The Indians again played without second baseman Jason Kipnis (sore left elbow) and catcher Carlos Santana (bruised left thumb) in the starting lineup. Kipnis was also out on Saturday while Santana, who walked as a pinch-hitter in the ninth, had missed three straight games.
The Indians are off Monday and begin a three-game series Tuesday against Boston at Progressive Field. Francona will face the Red Sox, the team he managed for eight seasons, for the first time since being replaced following the 2011 season when Boston collapsed down the stretch. Francona led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.