White Sox-Indians: Chicago Avoids Sweep in Cleveland

12:00 is not the time to Rock in the city of Cleveland.  In a rare noon start, the Cleveland Indians failed to complete the sweep of the Chicago White Sox Thursday at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, and they lost 2-1.

In the best pitching duel of the series, a comment no one would have made at the beginning of the series, White Sox John Danks out-pitched a strong effort by Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook, although he did not end up earning the win.  Westbrook, however, did take the loss, giving up two homers, the last one in the eighth, right before getting pulled.

The box score read zeros through five on both sides, as Westbrook pitched three minimalist innings, taking down eleven batters in a row before yielding a walk to Jim Thome with two out in the fourth.  That walk did not slow him down much though, as Konerko lined out to end the fourth.  In the fifth, A.J. Pierzynski reached second base on a single and a wild pitch, before the side was retired. 

The Tribe offense wasn’t any better; through five they hadn’t even registered a hit.  That made it a one-hitter and a no-hitter through five for the starting pitching.

Chicago’s Uribe broke that mold in grand style, homering the 0-0 count over the left field fence and giving the Sox a 1-0 lead.  Westbrook did not get shaken, and retired the next three in order.

Casey Blake got the first hit for the Tribe in the bottom half of the sixth, singling and moving to second on a sacrifice by Shoppach.  Sizemore and Michaels each grounded out to first to end the sixth inning threat. 

Westbrook started looking a little shaky in the seventh.  Konerko and Dye opened with back-to-back singles.  Pierzynski, who was a thorn in the Indian’s side throughout this opening series, hit into a fielder’s choice; Konerko thrown out at third.  That left two on with one out when Westbrook induced an inning-ending double play on a come backer by Quentin.  Westbrook wheeled and threw to Peralta, and Peralta over to Garko, keeping the Chicago lead at one.

The bottom of the seventh saw Travis Hafner cross the plate for the Indians, after he walked and Garko doubled.  Hafner, one of the slowest guys on the Cleveland team, hustled all the way home from first on the play, tying the game at 1-1. 

Westbrook went back out in the eighth off the hook for the loss, and having a chance to win, but with three pitches, two of them balls, gave up the winning home run to Crede. 

Westbrook stayed in, striking out Uribe, then giving up a single to left to Swisher.  That brought out pinch runner Brian Anderson, and Orlando Cabrera promptly singled to left, moving Anderson over to second and chasing Westbrook.

Lewis came on for Cleveland and got Thome to strike out and Konerko to ground out, ending the inning.  The damage, however had been done with the homer. 

The Indians never threatened again, and Chicago avoided the sweep with a 2-1 pitching gem on both sides of the Diamond. 

The Indians registered two hits, one by Garko, the other by Blake, in the loss.  The White Sox seven hit the Tribe, used four pitchers in the outing, with the win going to Dotel, the hold to Linebrink, the save to Jenks.

Westbrook ended up with the loss.  The Indians travel to Oakland for a three game set, the first a 10:05 PM Eastern time start on Friday.  The White Sox head north to Detroit for a 7:05 start with the Tigers.