Indians rally to beat White Sox

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn’s two-run single in the eighth inning rallied the Cleveland Indians to their sixth straight win, 7-4 over the freefalling Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.

Raburn, batting for Jason Giambi, who won Monday night’s game with a pinch-hit homer in the ninth, singled off Matt Lindstrom as the Indians stormed back and won for the 11th time in 15 games.

Yan Gomes added a two-run single in the eighth as the Indians stayed within 2 1-2 game of first-place Detroit in the AL Central.

The Indians were in danger of losing to Brazilian rookie Andre Rienzo in his debut before coming back against Donnie Veal (1-2), who started the eighth.

Cleveland’s comeback spoiled a solid outing by Rienzo, who started in place of Jake Peavy. Rienzo, the first Brazilian-born player to pitch in the major leagues, did not allow an earned and only five hits in seven innings.

Bryan Shaw (2-2) got one out in the eighth and closer Chris Perez worked the ninth for his 15th save — and ninth straight.

Rienzo was recalled earlier in the day from the minors as the White Sox pushed back Peavy’s start one day in case they are able to trade him before Wednesday’s deadline. Peavy could be headed to a contender.

Adam Dunn drove in two runs for the White Sox, who dropped 24 games under .500 for the first time since Sept. 29, 1989.

Trailing 4-3, the Indians scored four runs in the eighth.

Veal gave up a one-out single to Asdrubal Cabrera, and one out later, Carlos Santana singled. Pinch-runner Drew Stubbs stole second before Raburn, who has been clutch all season for manager Terry Francona, singled to center off Lindstrom to make it 5-4. After Lonnie Chisenhall singled, Gomes came through with his double.

With Peavy in waiting mode to see if he’ll be traded, Rienzo gave the White Sox a glimpse of their future.

The right-hander seemed unfazed in facing one of baseball’s hottest teams. He was only in trouble once, when the Indians scored three times in the fifth to tie it. But Rienzo quickly shook it off and was in position to get a win before the Indians came back against Chicago’s bullpen.

Along with Peavy, the White Sox have reportedly dangled outfielder Alex Rios. He left in the eighth after fouling a pitch off his left foot.

The White Sox took a 4-3 lead in the sixth on Dayan Viciedo’s two-out RBI single.

Cleveland starter Scott Kazmir allowed four runs and nine hits in five-plus innings.

Staked to a 3-0 lead, Rienzo looked poised while making history as Brazil’s first big-league pitcher.

In the third, he faced Indians catcher and fellow countryman Gomes, who dribbled a single through the middle for Cleveland’s second hit. Once he reached first, the Indians catcher shared a smile with Rienzo, who moments later tried to pick his friend from Brazil’s national team off the bag.

Rienzo showed his full repertoire in the fourth, striking out Nick Swisher, All-Star Jason Kipnis and Cabrera on just 11 pitches. He started off Cabrera with two curves before blowing a high fastball past Cleveland’s shortstop.

However, Rienzo was hurt by two walks in the fifth, when the Indians scored three unearned runs to tie it 3-all.