(Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox may have saved their season with a
thrilling win in Monday's opener. On Tuesday, they hope to stretch their
advantage atop the American League Central in the middle test of a three-game
set against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field.
Chicago appeared headed towards a sixth straight loss which would have dropped
it into a first-place tie with the Detroit Tigers in the division. However,
Adam Dunn's second home run of the night, a three-run shot in the eighth,
carried the White Sox to a 5-4 win.
Alexei Ramirez had an RBI for Chicago, which remained one game ahead of the
Tigers for first place in the AL Central. Detroit beat the Royals, 6-2, on
Monday.
Chicago starter Chris Sale allowed three runs on 10 hits over seven innings.
Brett Myers (3-3) tossed a scoreless eighth to pick up the win.
"Tonight was Dunner's night," Sale said. "He won the game for us, hands down."
Dunn's 406 home runs are the most among active players without a postseason
appearance.
"The last homer, that probably was the most important so far in my career,"
said Dunn. "That was a win we needed. "Obviously everybody wants to get to the
postseason, but it's just fun. It's fun right now when every single game
matters. I think a lot of times you put a lot of pressure on yourself. Take a
step back once in a while."
Russ Canzler hit a two-run homer for the Indians, who have lost six in a row
against Chicago. Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera had an RBI apiece.
Cleveland owns the worst mark in the AL at 63-91 and is trying to avoid its
first last-place finish since 1991, and first since joining the Central
division in 1994.
Getting the call for the Pale Hose on Tuesday will be lefty Francisco Liriano,
who is 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) since being acquired from
Minnesota. He did not get a decision on Thursday in Kansas City, as he allowed
three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 4-3 loss.
Liriano, who is 5-5 lifetime versus the Tribe, is 6-11 overall on the season
with a 5.24 ERA.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with right-handed rookie Corey Kluber, who
is 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA. Kluber did not get a decision on Thursday versus
Minnesota, as he surrendered three runs and five hits in six innings of a 4-3
win.
This will be his first-ever start against the White Sox.
Chicago is 9-4 versus the Indians this season.
The Sports Network