Chicago, IL – Adam Dunn hit a pair of homers, including a three-run shot in the eighth, as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians, 5-4, in the opener of a three-game series.
Alexei Ramirez had an RBI for the White Sox, who snapped a five-game skid and remained one game ahead of the Tigers for first place in the AL Central. Detroit beat the Royals, 6-2, on Monday.
Chicago starter Chris Sale allowed three runs on 10 hits over seven innings. Brett Myers (3-3) tossed a scoreless eighth to pick up the win.
"Tonight was Dunner's night," Sale said. "He won the game for us, hands down."
Russ Canzler hit a two-run homer for the Indians, who have lost six in a row against Chicago. Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera had an RBI apiece.
Zach McAllister allowed two runs on four hits while striking out seven over six innings. Vinnie Pestano (3-3) gave up the homer to Dunn in the eighth to take the loss.
"I felt good," McAllister said. "I felt like I had a pretty good fastball today and pretty good command for the most part. I didn't mix, really, as well as I would've liked, but I felt good with my fastball and I stuck with that."
Trailing 3-2, the White Sox scored three runs in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Dan Johnson worked a one-out walk before being replaced by pinch-runner Jordan Danks. Kevin Youkilis' infield single put runners on the corners with two outs. Dunn followed with a three-run homer to right-center field, giving Chicago a 5-3 lead.
The White Sox sent Matt Thornton to the mound in the ninth. Ezequiel Carrera hit a two-out single. Donnie Veal came in from the bullpen and gave up an RBI double to Choo. Jason Kipnis grounded out to end the game.
The Indians broke a scoreless tie in the third inning. Kipnis singled and scored on Cabrera's double to right.
Chicago had a runner thrown out at the plate in the fourth. Alejandro De Aza walked and tried to score on Kevin Youkilis' double down the left-field line. De Aza appeared to beat the tag at the plate, but was called out.
The White Sox, though, managed to tie the game in the fifth. Alex Rios singled, stole second, moved to third when Dayan Viciedo grounded into a fielder's choice and raced home after Ramirez grounded into a fielder's choice.
But Cleveland took the lead back with two runs in the sixth. Carlos Santana singled and scored on Canzler's homer to right, making it a 3-1 game.
Dunn's solo homer to center in the bottom half made it a one-run contest.
Game Notes
Chicago is 9-4 versus the Indians this season ... Dunn has hit 41 homers this year, marking his sixth season with 40 or more homers.
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