Masterson Pitches Indians Past White Sox 2-0
CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Masterson pitched neatly into the eighth inning and the Cleveland Indians beat theWhite Sox 2-0 Saturday night in a game highlighted by Chicago rookie Jose Abreu's snazzy glove toss.
Abreu, who leads the majors in homers and RBIs, struck out with two runners on base to end the eighth. Earlier, the Cuban first baseman made the play of the day.
Abreu fielded Lonnie Chisenhall's grounder in the sixth and, unable to get the ball out of his mitt, flipped the glove about 10 feet to pitcher Scott Carroll covering the bag for the out.
Masterson (1-1) held the AL's highest-scoring offense in check, allowing four hits and striking out six in his seventh start of the season. The right-hander won for the first time since last Aug. 21.
Cody Allen struck out Abreu in the eighth. John Axford pitched the ninth for his ninth save, sending Chicago to its fourth straight loss.
Cleveland center fielder Michael Bourn left in the fourth because of tightness in his left hamstring. He strained the same hamstring in spring training and began the season on the disabled list.
Indians designated hitter Jason Giambi left the game in the sixth with a cramp in his right calf.
Errors by third baseman Marcus Semien and catcher Tyler Flowers made both of Cleveland's runs unearned. The Indians also made two errors.
Nick Swisher had a sacrifice fly in the sixth for the Indians, who have won two in a row after breaking a six-game losing streak.
Carroll (1-1) didn't allow an earned run in six innings in his second major league start.
Semien's dropped popup handed the Indians a run in the second. Semien drifted under a ball near the mound hit by David Murphy with two outs, but it fell out of his glove and Chisenhall scored from third. Chisenhall started the inning with a double.
Cleveland got another gift in the fifth. Flowers fielded Jose Ramirez's bunt, but threw wildly to first. Ramirez was credited with a hit and took second on the error. Mike Aviles' sacrifice moved Ramirez to third and Swisher's fly ball made it 2-0.
Chisenhall's throwing error led to a Chicago threat in the fifth. A walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out, but Swisher made a diving grab of Semien's line drive and doubled Flowers off first.
Masterson also pitched around shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera's fielding error in the third.
Alexei Ramirez, the leading hitter in the AL, was hitless in four at-bats.
NOTES: The Indians placed C Yan Gomes on the paternity list. Wife Jenna gave birth to the couple's first child Saturday morning. Carlos Santana started behind the plate for the sixth time this season. ... The White Soxput OF Adam Eaton on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring. Jordan Danks started in center field while Alejandro De Aza batted in Eaton's leadoff spot. ... NOTES: Indians manager Terry Francona said RHP Josh Tomlin will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start Tuesday's game against Minnesota.
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