Indians’ White tames the Angels

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif.

Nothing intimidated Alex White in his second major league start. Not Jered Weaver, not the Los Angeles Angels’ formidable lineup and their AL-best .270 team batting average, not even an early two-run homer by Vernon Wells.

White pitched six gritty innings for his first career win, Shin-Soo Choo doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs to snap an 0-for-18 drought since his arrest on DUI charges, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Angels 4-3 on Saturday night.

“It’s a great feeling and something I’ve worked for for a long time,” said White, the 15th overall pick in the 2009 draft and was the Indians’ minor league pitcher of the year last season.

“We played well and I was fortunate enough to hold them off long enough to get the bullpen in there. This team is playing so well, I knew it was going to come as long as I pitched well.

“It’s one of those things you’ll remember forever. I’ll never forget where I was and who I was pitching against.”

White (1-0) allowed three runs and seven hits, with six strikeouts and two walks. Last Saturday in his big league debut, the 22-year-old right-hander gave up two runs over six innings in a no-decision as the Indians beat Detroit 3-2 in 13.

“I think the biggest thing was just getting my first start out of the way,” White said. “It wasn’t my debut anymore. It was about winning. It was just a great feeling to be able to go out there and compete today. My job was to get us deep in the game and give us a chance.”

Tony Sipp and Vinnie Pestano each pitched a scoreless inning and Chris Perez worked a perfect ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances.

Maicer Izturis ran the Angels out of a potential rally in the eighth. He tried to go from first to third on a one-out grounder by Howie Kendrick that third baseman Jack Hannahan had to charge, but Hannahan got back to the bag in time to take first baseman Carlos Santana’s throw and tag him for an inning-ending double play.

“How about Santana Brady making that throw over there?” manager Manny Acta said, comparing his first baseman to New England Patriots star Tom Brady. “There’s only one Dominican in the NFL, but Santana looked like a pretty good quarterback there. It was a good play, but a risky play. You have to hit the guy on the move, and Hannahan needed to really concentrate on catching the ball and making the tag. But it worked out for us.”