Indians capitalize on White Sox errors

Associated Press

CHICAGO

A day after the Chicago White Sox benefited from a bunch of Cleveland mistakes, they doomed themselves with a big blunder on the bases.

Carlos Santana and Leonys Martin homered and the Indians took advantage of a lapse by the White Sox to end Chicago’s five-game streak with a 5-2 victory on Saturday.

The Indians, who made four errors in a 6-1 loss Friday night, climbed back to .500 and prevented the White Sox from reaching the break-even mark for the first time since April 5.

“I know we’re not going to be perfect. We got some young guys and some inexperience, but I like the way they came out with some energy and played, a lot,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

“Shoot, I’m not rooting against them, I’m dying with these guys. When we struggle I feel like it is on me more than them. I don’t ever want it to be them and me,” he said.

Chicago loaded the bases with no outs in the third on a single by Tim Anderson and walks to Yolmer Sanchez and Charlie Tilson, and Leury Garcia hit a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.

But the Indians escaped further damage when pitcher Jefry Rodriguez trapped Sanchez off second with a pickoff throw, leading to a pair of outs.

Sanchez got caught in a rundown and was tagged by third baseman Jose Ramirez, who then threw over to first base to get Tilson retreating to the bag to end the inning.

Santana’s solo homer off Ivan Nova (3-5) made it 2-1 in the sixth. It was Santana’s 11th homr of the season.

Santana extended his on-base streak to 18 games and is hitting .339 with six home runs during that stretch.

“The year before I tried to pull all of the time, but this year my approach is to use all of the field and not try as much,” Santana said.

Jake Bauers hit a leadoff double in the Cleveland seventh and with two outs, Martin broke an 0-for-14 slump with his seventh home run.

Indians reliever Oliver Perez (1-0) replaced Rodriguez in the fifth and went 12/3 innings for the win. Rodriguez left after four innings with right lat tightness.

Francona said Rodriguez will have an MRI on Sunday or Monday.

Brad Hand pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save.

An error by White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada set up Jason Kipnis’ sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Yonder Alonso had a sacrifice fly in the Chicago seventh that made it 4-2. Kevin Plawecki added an insurance run with an RBI single in the Cleveland ninth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (strained upper back muscle) was on schedule to throw a simulated game at the Indians’ training facility in Goodyear, Arizona on Saturday. ... OF Tyler Naquin (left calf strain) is continuing his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus and was expected to play on Saturday night at Durham. ... Francona said OF Bradley Zimmer (right shoulder surgery in July 2018) could be ready to move to Triple-A in the next phase of his rehab.

UP NEXT

Indians RHP Zach Plesac faces White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (7-1, 2.85 ERA) on Sunday afternoon. Giolito has been among the best pitchers in the majors in his last eight starts. Plesac allowed one run on four hits in 5 1-3 innings on Tuesday against Boston.