White Sox Trounce Indians, 7-3; End 14-Game Skid

Apr 3, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a double against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox Take Game One Over Indians

One day after splitting a doubleheader with the San Diego Padres, the Indians traveled to Chicago to take on the White Sox. Despite getting out to an early 3-1 lead, the Indians were unable to make it hold up behind Danny Salazar. The end result? A 7-3 loss that had both good points and bad for the Indians.

First off, Danny Salazar was both amazing and frustrating at the same time on Thursday night. He lasted only 3.2 innings and gave up 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks to take the loss. However, while that stat line would lead one to believe that Salazar struggled, he managed to strikeout 10 batters. Think about that. Salazar recorded 11 outs; 10 of them were strikeouts. How ridiculous is that? Well, Danny Salazar is the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) with 10 K in an outing of fewer than four innings. That’s how rare of a feat that was.

So again, Salazar was frustrating as all hell, but utterly fantastic all at the same time.

Meanwhile, the Indians jumped out to an early lead against White Sox starter John Danks. In fact that Indians scored two runs in the top of the first inning, marking the first time all year that they have scored in the opening frame. The first run crossed the plate thanks to Jason Kipnis. Kipnis, who loves hitting in Chicago, drove home Asdrubal Cabrera with an RBI single to left. A few batters later, Ryan Raburn hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Nick Swisher.

The White Sox responded in the bottom half of the second. Jose Abreu, the Cuban import Chicago signed in the offseason, hit a titanic home run to left center field. The solo shot put the Sox on the board and formally introduced Abreu to the Indians. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from Abreu throughout this season.

Hold that thought.

In the top of the third, the Indians plated another run. With the count 0-1 and nobody on base, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a solo home run to center field. The homer pushed the Indians lead back to two runs. It was also Cabrera’s first home run of the season. Hopefully there will be more to come as he continues to battle his way back from a sub-par 2013 season at the plate.

From that point forward, it was all White Sox all the time.

The Sox scored two runs in the bottom half of the third to make it a 3-3 game. The first came on a rare solo home run by Alexei Ramirez. The second on an RBI single by Adam Eaton that was just out of the reach of a diving Nick Swisher at first base. By the time the inning was over, we had a new ball game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ramirez struck again. This time it wasn’t with the long ball. With two runners on, he doubled to center and plated Alejandro De Aza and Dayan Viciedo. In the process, Salazar’s night came to an end. Leading to one of the strangest stat lines we have ever seen. Again, 10 strikeouts in less than four innings of work.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jose Abreu struck again. This time Josh Outman was the victim of Abreu’s abuse and while it was a no doubter, it wasn’t hit nearly as far as his first home run. He drove in the White Sox final run of the game on a fielder’s choice to Jason Kipnis at second base. Again, remember the name Jose Abreu. He’s officially in line to take over the title of White Sox Indians killer from Paul Konerko.

With the loss, the Indians record fell back to .500 at 5-5. They will look to get back on track tonight when Carlos Carrasco battles White Sox ace Chris Sale. For Sale, this is his first shot at redemption after his failures against the Indians in 2013. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05.

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