Chicago White Sox roll over Indians for fourth straight win
Stumbling back from a nightmarish weekend in Minnesota, the Chicago White Sox are up and running for the first time in … a long time.
After sweeping a three-game series against the Royals to open their homestand, the Sox rolled over the Indians 10-4 on Thursday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. They have a four-game winning streak for the first time since August of last season.
The Sox (27-29) also pulled a game behind second-place Cleveland. Before returning home, they lost three straight to the first-place Twins while being outscored 26-5.
"I think that the youth, the new blood, the new kids have meshed with the old guys, with the veterans," first baseman Jose Abreu said after going 1-for-4 and driving in 3 runs. "We have a good atmosphere here. We go out every day, try to win games, try to do our best, try to fight, and at the same time try to have fun.
"We have been working with (manager) Ricky (Renteria) and the coaches, trying to improve, trying to do the little things to win games, to be consistent with what we know that we can do. I think we're going in the right direction. We're working hard, and I think we're going to be good."
In the first of four against the Indians, the White Sox finally solved starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco. The right-hander was 2-0 with 12 scoreless innings in his first 2 starts against the Sox this season.
Eloy Jimenez gave the White Sox the early lead with a 2-run double in the second inning, and Yonder Alonso snapped a 2-2 tie with a 2-run homer in the third.
"He's tough, and he's been tough against us for a long time," Alonso said of Carrasco. "So today was just our night. We were happy about it."
The Sox rolled from there, and starting pitcher Manny Banuelos picked up the win after giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 5⅓ innings.
Safety first:
In Thursday night's game against the Indians, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu lined a hard foul ball into the seats past third base. No fan appeared to be injured, but it was yet another example of the potential danger that comes with watching major-league baseball.
In Wednesday night's game against the Astros, Cubs center fielder Albert Almora hit a foul ball that injured a young girl while raising another call for more safety.
Like most teams, the Sox have netting extending from dugout to dugout, but not down the outfield lines.
Yonder Alonso, for one, would like to see that changed.
"I believe in netting completely all around," Alonso said. "If not netting - I know the fans want to be close - just put up glass, like hockey."
With a wife and two children, Alonso's family are regulars at games. They don't sit down the unprotected lines.
"No chance," Alonso said. "None. That's not even a topic to discuss. I have kids, and the last thing I want is something to happen to them. They sit behind the plate with the netting and when there's a foul ball straight up, I still get worried.
"I look up and I'm like, 'What happened? I hope it hits a chair or something.' It's definitely a dangerous thing."