Abreu, Rodon Power White Sox Past Slumping Astros, 4-2
CHICAGO (AP) — Jose Abreu hit a tie-breaking two-run homer, Carlos Rodon threw six scoreless innings, and the Chicago White Sox beat Houston, 4-2, on Tuesday night to hand the Astros their sixth straight loss despite top draft pick Carlos Correa hitting his first homer.
Abreu's 10th home run of the season broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth and propelled Chicago to its second win to start the three-game series with the AL West-leading Astros. The reigning AL rookie of the year hadn't homered since June 3 but his line drive over the fence in right-center field off Dallas Keuchel drove in Alexei Ramirez and gave Chicago the lead.
That homer and Melky Cabrera's two-run double in the eighth were enough for the White Sox to continue the Astros' slide. During their losing streak, the Astros have been held to two runs or fewer five times.
Chicago led 4-0 in the ninth before Chris Carter doubled to start the inning when the White Sox couldn't catch his high popup in short right field. Correa, who was 2 for 4, then took a Zach Duke pitch into the left-field bleachers to cut the White Sox lead in half.
David Robertson replaced Duke and picked up his 12th save in 15 tries. George Springer lined out to right to end the game, one pitch after he had flipped his bat away and started to first thinking he had walked. After his ball was caught by Avisail Garcia, Springer appeared to be pointing and yelling at home-plate umpire Larry Vanover from near first base.
Rodon (2-0) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five and throwing a career-high 116 pitches. It was the fourth consecutive start of at least six innings while allowing one earned run or fewer for Chicago's top pick in the 2014 draft.
Besides Abreu's home run, Keuchel (7-2) was strong. He went seven innings and allowed two runs and seven hits while striking out five and walking two. Keuchel, who went at least six innings for his 24th consecutive start, retired 10 straight batters before walking Tyler Flowers with one out in the fifth but still lost his second decision in his last three.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: OF Preston Tucker returned to the lineup after he was given a 48-hour rest period to work on his hitting approach during Houston's final two games against Toronto over the weekend. Tucker then missed the series opener Monday because LHP Chris Sale was pitching.
White Sox: Abreu said through a translator he's been doing endurance training all season, and getting results. "Yes, I feel very good, very strong," Abreu said.
UP NEXT
Astros RHP Vincent Velasquez faces Chicago LHP Jose Quintana (2-6, 4.28). Velasquez will be making his major-league debut after going 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA at Double-A Corpus Christi.
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