Player of the Game
Taylor Naquin earns tonight’s honors as he was a double away from the cycle.
Feathers Up
The Indians scored quickly off James Shields, as was expected given his frivolous track record since joining the Chicago White Sox. After several games on the road where runs were hard to come by, they quickly scored five runs in the top of the first inning. Carlos Santana, in typical fashion, started the game with a walk. Jason Kipnis doubled to left-field which advanced Santana to third. Francisco Lindor singled to right, scoring Santana. The big blow came off the bat of Mike Napoli who slammed a three-run home-run, making the score 4-0. They added a fifth run in the first as well, making the score 5-0 to end the inning.
The scoring continued in the second, effectively removing James Shields from the game. The Indians scored three more runs, making the score 8-0 to end the the second.
The Tribe is averaging 6.24 runs-per-game at home (4.00 runs per game on the road, 11th in A.L.), most in Major League Baseball ahead of Boston (6.06) and Colorado (5.97). The pitching staff’s 4.02 ERA at home (9th in A.L.) is nearly one half-run higher than 3.55 road ERA (2nd in A.L., 5th in Majors).
The Indians hold a 6-2 advantage over the White Sox this season, going 4-2 at U.S. Cellular Field and 2-0 at Progressive Field. They have won five straight (have out-scored Sox 18-8 last 4G), 7 of 9 and 10 of their last 14 against the White Sox dating back to September of last season.
The Indians are 9-8 in 17 starts made by James Shields all-time against the Tribe.
Feathers Down
Jose Abreu continues to kill Indians pitching. He hit a two-run home-run in the top of the sixth. He is now hitting .360 (18-50) with four home runs, 13 RBI, and seven multi hit efforts over his last 13 games . Abreu is a .319 (52-163) hitter with 13 homers and 29 RBI in 43 career games against the Indians.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 13 – Chicago White Sox 2
On Deck
Carlos Carrasco will be making his eighth start of the season in the series-final of the Indian’s three-game series against the White Sox tomorrow. He will be pitching on extended five days’ rest due Thursday’s scheduled off day. He has made 13 career starts against Chicago, going 3-8 with a 5.90 ERA (45ER/ 68.2IP) all-time against the White Sox and went 1-4 with an 8.10 ERA (15ER/16.2IP) in five starts against the White Sox last season. He suffered the loss on Sept. 9, 2015 here at Progressive, in his last start against the White Sox, as he allowed three runs, two earned on four hits and two walks with nine strikeouts over 5.0 innings. He will be making his 46th career start at Progressive Field, where he is 12-23 with a 4.97 ERA (145ER/262.2IP) all-time as a starter.
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