AL CENTRAL Cleveland loses series finale, 7-1

A first-inning Tribe error opened the way for Chicago.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jon Rauch stuck around to enjoy the victory. Really, he had little choice -- his left arm was handcuffed to his locker.
The 6-foot-11 righty atoned for an earlier episode when he left the clubhouse before a game was over and led the White Sox past the Cleveland Indians 7-1 Thursday.
"I made a stupid mistake and I'm not making it now," Rauch said, showing his handcuffed wrist, a prank courtesy of teammate Mark Buehrle.
"It doesn't bother me at all. It's all in good fun," Rauch said.
Balanced attack
Jose Valentin hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the White Sox tacked on four runs in the eighth. In between, Aaron Rowand made two stellar catches in center field to protect the lead.
In the fifth, Rowand ran down Jody Gerut's long liner and crashed into the center-field wall at full speed, but held onto the ball.
"I knew there were runners on base and I knew I needed to get to it. If I run into the wall, I run into the wall," Rowand said.
"But the play needed to be made. I knew if I didn't make the play, it would be a tie ball game at that point."
In the eighth, with the score still 3-1, Rowand leaped at the fence to catch Casey Blake's drive.
"Rowand, straight up Rowand. A fantastic play. It's why I'm standing here with a smile on my face," Rauch said. "If he doesn't make that catch, it's a different ballgame."
Chicago's fifth starters had been 0-8 this season before Rauch (1-1) limited the Indians to one run in five innings. He gave up six hits, and White Sox relievers held the Indians hitless.
Misplay
Second baseman Ronnie Belliard's error on Juan Uribe's grounder opened the way for the White Sox in the first.
After Carlos Lee singled with two outs, Valentin drove his 14th homer to deep center off Jake Westbrook (6-4). The Indians starter didn't allow an earned run in six strong innings, allowing just four hits.
"I made a decent pitch and he got it. He put a good swing on it," said Westbrook.
Coco Crisp doubled in the fifth and scored on Matt Lawton's single, and the Indians threatened for more after Omar Vizquel followed with another single.
"We've got to get at least one more run there. It's a big difference between 3-1 and 3-2," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said.