White Sox Shut Out By Indians, 2-0
CLEVELAND (AP) —Carlos Carrasco came within one out of his first complete game, and the Cleveland Indians finished a three-game sweep with a 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Carrasco (7-4) allowed four hits, struck out eight and didn't walk a batter in 8 2-3 innings, extending his remarkable turnaround since rejoining the rotation last month.
Adrian Nieto led off the ninth with a single before Adam Eaton hit into a forceout. Carrasco struck out Carlos Sanchez, but rookie slugger Jose Abreu's single to left ended the day for Carrasco, who was given a standing ovation by the crowd of 17,597 as he walked to the dugout.
Cody Allen retired Conor Gillaspie on a line drive to center for his 19th save.
Carrasco is 4-0 and has allowed three earned runs in 38 2-3 innings over six starts since Aug. 10.
Michael Brantley's RBI single in the first put Cleveland ahead. Carlos Santana added a run-scoring groundout in the eighth.
Scott Carroll (5-10) held the Indians to two runs in eight-plus innings, but received no help from his offense. Chicago scored two runs in the series and has lost 14 of 18.
Cleveland entered Sunday trailing Kansas City by five games in the AL Central and was 4 1/2 games behind Seattle for the second wild card.
Carrasco began the season in the rotation, but was banished to the bullpen after going 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA in four starts. He pitched well in relief, going 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA and a save in 26 appearances.
Carrasco's strong stretch began with five scoreless innings against the New York Yankees on Aug. 10, his first win as a starter since June 29, 2011, when he defeated Arizona. The win broke a streak of 17 consecutive starts in which he had a loss or no-decision.
Carrasco hasn't allowed more than one run earned in any of his starts since being moved out of the bullpen.
Michael Bourn started the first with a triple over the head of Eaton, who broke back on the ball but couldn't make the catch. Bourn, who has been on the disabled list twice with an injured right hamstring, raced around the bases and slid into third.
Brantley extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single to center.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: OF Avisail Garcia got a day off. Abreu, who has been dealing with general soreness, was the DH again. Manager Robin Ventura expects Abreu to return to first base sometime this week.
Indians: INF-OF Mike Aviles (concussion) is increasing his activities, but there's no timetable for his return. He was injured attempting to make a diving catch in right field Monday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Hector Noesi (8-9) faces Oakland in the opener of a four-game series Monday. He's 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA in his last six starts. RHP Sonny Gray (13-8) starts for the A's.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar (6-6), coming off his first career shutout, will start Monday against the Angels. RHP Jered Weaver (15-8) pitches for Los Angeles.
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