Shoppach’s two homers lead Tribe over Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — Kelly Shoppach hit a two-run homer and added a solo shot, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

The Indians won despite grounding into six double plays, tying an American League record for the 14th time.

The Indians continued their recent surge, winning 11 of their last 16 games.

Indians starter Jeremy Sowers (4-7), who came into the game with a 0-6 record with a 6.31 ERA lifetime against Chicago, hung on for the victory. He pitched seven-plus innings, allowing two runs and six hits. He struck out three and walked two.

The White Sox dropped their second straight game to fall three games behind the Tigers in the AL Central. Chicago had the bases loaded with no outs in the eighth inning, but failed to score. Indians reliever Chris Perez struck out Jim Thome and got Paul Konerko to pop out. Tony Sipp finished off the inning by getting A.J. Pierzynski to line out.

Indians closer Kerry Wood closed out the game by getting Gordon Beckham to fly out with runners on second and third.

White Sox starter Mark Buehrle (11-6) continued to struggle after his perfect game against the Rays on July 23. Buehrle allowed six runs and 11 hits in 72‚Ñ3 innings. He is 0-3 with a 8.35 ERA since his perfect game.

Buehlre induced all six Indians’ double plays, becoming the first pitcher since Dick Drago did it in one game in 1972.

Grady Sizemore led off the game with a single, then Asdrubal Cabrera hit a routine grounder that appeared to be the start of a double play, but second baseman Jayson Nix made an errant flip to second that got by shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Sizemore advanced to third, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Buehrle then hit Shin-Soo Choo with a pitch to load the bases. Sizemore ended up scoring on Jhonny Peralta’s double play ball and Buehrle limited the damage by getting Travis Hafner to ground out.

Buehrle allowed a leadoff single to Jamey Carroll in the second inning, then Shoppach hit Buehrle’s next pitch into the seats in right. It was Shoppach’s eighth homer of the season.

Choo hit a triple of the left field-fence in the third inning and scored on Peralta’s single to put the Indians up 4-0.

Leading 4-2 in the fourth inning, Shoppach tagged Buehrle again, a solo shot to right on a 2-0 pitch. It was Shoppach’s fourth career multi home run game.