Indians Slip Past White Sox, 4-3
CHICAGO (AP) — Shaun Marcum won his first start in almost two years, Michael Brantley had a two-run double in the seventh inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox, 4-3, on Wednesday night.
Recalled earlier Wednesday from Triple-A Columbus, Marcum went 6 2-3 innings and gave up two runs and four hits and struck out six for the Indians, who have won four of six.
Jose Ramirez had two hits and two runs and reached base four times in a game that began after a 31-minute rain delay.
Marcum (1-0) hadn't started a game in the major leagues since July 6, 2013, for the New York Mets. He was later diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which involves nerves near the neck and caused tingling and numbness in Marcum's right hand, eventually leading to shoulder surgery.
He's made one appearance in relief this season, throwing five innings and allowing one run against Detroit on April 12.
Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Cody Allen. Conor Gillaspie, whose home run in the seventh pulled Chicago within 4-2, fouled out to third before Alexei Ramirez's infield single cut Cleveland's lead to 4-3.
J.B. Shuck, pinch-hitting for Tyler Flowers, struck out to end the game and Allen picked up his eighth save in nine attempts.
Cleveland gave Marcum the lead in the seventh with three runs against Chicago reliever Dan Jennings (0-1). Ramirez's one-out single through a drawn-in infield put the Indians ahead 2-1, and then Brantley's double into the right-field corner gave Cleveland a 4-1 lead.
Chicago lost its second straight after a six-game winning streak, but got a strong outing from rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon. The White Sox's top prospect entering the season, Rodon pitched six innings and gave up one run and four hits and struck out four and walked five.
Making the third start of his big-league career, Rodon's control problems continued as he's walked 15 in 16 innings as a starter.
Adam Eaton's third-inning home run was his first since April 12 of last year and Gillaspie's was his second of the season. Jose Abreu went 1 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: 1B Carlos Santana (back spasms) was held out of the lineup for the fourth straight game despite feeling as if he might be well enough to return. ... LHP T.J. House (left shoulder) threw five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus, and C Yan Gomes (right knee) went 1 for 2 with a walk in the same game.
White Sox: RHP Nate Jones (right elbow) and RHP Matt Albers (right pinky finger) remained on the disabled list.
UP NEXT
Indians RHP Danny Salazar (4-1, 4.06) faces Chicago LHP John Danks (2-3, 4.66). Danks has struggled against Cleveland, going 5-12 with a 5.16 ERA.
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