The suddenly resurgent Cleveland Indians aim for a fourth straight victory on Tuesday when they resume a three-game set with the struggling Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Cleveland has rebounded from a five-game slide by winning three consecutive games, including a 3-2 win in the series opener on Monday. Asdrubal Cabrera hit a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning, scoring Drew Stubbs and Michael Brantley, in that one as the Indians rallied for the win.
Lonnie Chisenhall drove in one run for the Indians, who haven't won four straight games since June 18-22 of last season. Starter Justin Masterson (4-1) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over seven innings, while Chris Perez pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his third save of the season.
"He was falling behind," said Indians manager Terry Francona when discussing Masterson. "Once he got into the middle innings, he started really working ahead more. Even when he fell behind, his ball had enough life where he was still a pretty effective pitcher, but it's certainly a lot easier for him when he works ahead."
Conor Gillaspie knocked a solo homer and Hector Gimenez drove in a run for the White Sox, who wasted a solid performance from starter Dylan Axelrod and lost for the 10th time in 13 games. Axelrod gave up just one run on three hits and two walks in six innings.
"You just keep shooting yourself in the foot," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "And until we clean it up, we're going to lose games. It's just that simple."
Lefty Jose Quintana will try to get the ChiSox out of that rut. The Columbian is 1-0 with a solid 2.55 ERA in his first three starts this season and hasn't allowed a run in his last two outings, spanning 13 2/3 innings.
Overall Quintana is 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA in four career appearances versus Cleveland. He limited the Tribe to one hit while fanning seven in seven innings back on Apr. 12 but didn't get a decision opposite a Masterson five- hitter.
Righty Zach McAllister will oppose Quintana tonight and is 2-0 with a stellar 2.66 ERA in four starts against Chicago, including a solid performance back on April 13 when he allowed three runs -- one earned -- over 6 1/3 innings en route to his only win of the season.
The Indians, who were a dismal 68-94 last year, won two of three at home versus Chicago April 12-14.
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