Indians rally for 3-2 win over Sox
Asdrubal Cabrera hit a clutch two-run single in his return to the lineup and the Cleveland Indians used a throwing error by reliever Matt Thornton to rally for a 3-2 victory over the sloppy Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Justin Masterson (4-1) pitched seven effective innings to help the Indians win their third straight. They have won three of four this season against the White Sox.
Cleveland had runners on first and second with one out in the eighth when Thornton (0-1) threw wildly to second while trying to pick off Drew Stubbs. Both runners moved up as the ball went into center field.
Jason Kipnis struck out for the second out, but Cabrera hit a liner to center to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead. He clapped his hands as he rounded first following the big hit.
Dylan Axelrod pitched six sparkling innings for Chicago, and Conor Gillaspie had a solo homer. Hector Giménez hit a tiebreaking double in the fourth, but left in the seventh after he was hit on his lower left leg by a pitch from Masterson.
The slumping White Sox have lost four straight and 10 of 13. They managed just five hits and Blake Tekotte, who came in to run for Giménez, was picked off second with two on and none out.
Cabrera went 1 for 4 in his first game since he bruised his left wrist when he fell down the steps on the way to the dugout in Houston on Saturday. He rested while the Indians beat the Astros 5-4 on Sunday.
Masterson walked four, but managed to hold the White Sox to two runs and four hits. The right-hander also tossed a five-hitter in a 1-0 victory over Chicago on April 12.
Vinnie Pestano worked a perfect eighth and Chris Perez pitched around a one-out single while earning his third save in four opportunities.
Gillaspie led off the second with a drive to right for his first homer since he was acquired in a February trade with San Francisco. Then he played a role in Chicago’s second run when he walked with one out in the fourth.
Gillaspie was erased when Alexei Ramirez bounced into a fielder’s choice, but Giménez followed with a double to deep left-center to give the White Sox a 2-1 lead. Masterson then struck out Jordan Danks for the second time to limit the damage.
Axelrod allowed one run and three hits, struck out four and walked two.
NOTES: The Indians announced RHP Brett Myers was diagnosed with right elbow tendinitis and a mild ulnar collateral ligament sprain. He will stop throwing for two weeks and then be evaluated again. ... Cleveland RHP Matt Albers was activated from the restricted list and RHP Fernando Nieve was designated for assignment. Albers had been dealing with a family issue. ... White Sox LHP John Danks is going to make another start in extended spring training on Friday. Danks is coming back from August surgery to repair a capsule tear and remove debris in his rotator cuff and biceps. ... Indians C Lou Marson (neck strain) will rejoin the team on Tuesday and be activated on Wednesday. Yan Gomes was promoted on the same day Marson went on the DL, and manager Terry Francona indicated the young catcher is probably headed back to the minors. ... White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (1-0, 2.55 ERA) will face RHP Zach McAllister (1-2, 3.12) on Tuesday. ... Francona turned 54 on Monday.