Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs, and the Cleveland Indians moved a step closer to the AL Central title with a 10-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. An Indians’ win and a loss by Detroit to Kansas City would have clinched the division title. It was 31-48 on the road going into Saturday’s game. The clubs open a four-game series Monday at Comerica Park.
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“It was real fun”, said Rodon, who has held the Indians to one run or fewer in five of his nine career starts against them. Tomlin allowed two runs, one earned, in 6 2/3 innings with one strikeout and no walks. No other Cleveland Indians hitter would reach base the rest of the game.
David Robertson pitched the ninth to earn his 36th save.
Cleveland loaded the bases with one out in the first, but Quintana got Carlos Santana to hit into an inning-ending double play. Coco Crisp didn’t help matters by getting thrown out rounding second on Davis’ hit. He induced a shallow flyout from Michael Martinez before blowing away Rajai Davis on three pitches to end the threat. Minaya relieved Gonzalez. Napoli stole second and Ramirez hit a grounder to third baseman Frazier, who booted it for an error to put runners at first and second with one out.
The lone bright spot for the Indians from Sunday’s game was another positive start by Josh Tomlin. Frazier got a good jump on the play and scored easily when left fielder Crisp’s throw to the plate was high and off line.
Chicago stretched the lead to 2-0 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Sanchez.
Before the game, players on both teams stood in front of clubhouse TVs and watched coverage of the tragic death of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, killed early Sunday morning in a boating accident. That’s the most stolen bases by a White Sox third baseman since Luis Salazar’s 14 in 1985. Not exactly known for his speed, Frazier passed Adam Eaton, who missed the last two games after crashing into the wall catching a fly ball Friday. Manager Robin Ventura said Eaton is still bothered by back soreness.
Francisco Lindor, who is hitless in his last 25 at-bats, could use a break, but Francona acknowledged it’s tough to get fully re-charged at this point. He went 0 for 3 and had an error Saturday night. “I thought yesterday it was starting to creep into his defense a little bit”.
“I was able to drive the ball today and when I’m going good that’s the way it is, driving the ball through the zone and attacking hitters, ” he said.
White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez retired 10 of the first 12 batters he faced, but in his second time through Cleveland’s order, the Indians started to make some noise. The right-hander starts the series opener against Tampa Bay, the team he played for from 2006-12.
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Indians: Cy Young candidate Corey Kluber goes for his career-high 19th win as Cleveland begins its final road trip. Tomlin is regaining his early-season form after a disastrous August that saw him tattooed repeatedly in his six starts, logging an 0-5 record and unsightly 11.48 ERA.
