2-1 loss offiically eliminates Sox from playoffs
CLEVELAND — The White Sox will miss the postseason for the sixth year in a row.
Left-hander Chris Sale wants their fans to know that no one on the team is happy about it.
"There isn't a single player in here that isn't playing their hardest," the three-time American League All-Star said. "Everyone on this team is doing their best every game, which is how it should be.
"This is major league baseball. If you can't get excited when you step out there, then it's not for you."
The White Sox fell Friday night, losing 2-1 in 10 innings to the Cleveland Indians.
Pinch-hitter David Murphy's bases-loaded single up the middle off reliever Ronald Belisario scored Chris Dickerson for the walkoff win.
Right-hander Maikel Cleto (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing a leadoff triple to Yan Gomes.
The White Sox left 11 men on base and went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, scoring their lone run on Alexei Ramirez's homer in the third.
"We had quite a few opportunities on offense, but didn't cash in any of them," said Chicago manager Robin Ventura, whose team is 15½ games behind first-place Kansas City in the AL Central with 22 to play. "You have to do that against this team because their pitching is so good."
Sale entered the game with 22 straight innings without allowing an earned run on the road, but it was broken in the first when Carlos Santana's RBI single drove home Michael Brantley.
It was the only run the Indians scored off the White Sox ace, who allowed five hits and struck out five in six strong innings. Sale lowered his AL-leading ERA to 2.09, but has only won once in his past seven starts.
"Chris was real good, but he had a high (98) pitch count because they fought off a lot of foul balls like they usually do against him," Ventura said. "You don't want to run him out there for 127 pitches, give or take. He's fine, but we're just being very careful with him."
Ramirez exited the game in the fifth after being hit by a pitch squarely on the left foot. The throw from Cleveland left-hander T.J. House caused him to fall to the grass in pain, but it was diagnosed as a bone bruise. He is listed day to day.
Chicago designated hitter Jose Abreu went 2 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. The Cuban rookie is batting .510 during the run with two homers and 10 RBIs.