Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Gordon Beckham hit a solo home run and drove in three as the Chicago White Sox grabbed an 8-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds to earn a split of a Saturday doubleheader.
Alexei Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs score while Avisail Garcia also hit a solo homer and scored twice for the White Sox, who had lost seven of nine coming into the game. Carlos Rodon (1-0) pitched six innings and allowed two runs on four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts to earn his first major-league win.
Joey Votto went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the Reds, who have lost two of their last three. Jason Marquis (3-2) allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
In the early game, Marlon Byrd smacked a three-run home run to help the Reds to a 10-4 victory.
Chicago took the initial lead in the nightcap as Adam LaRoche led off the second with a single and Ramirez hit a home run two batters later for a 2-0 lead.
Cincinnati, though, got the runs back in the third when Votto smacked a base- loaded single to score two.
The White Sox went back on top in the fourth as Ramirez hit a one-out double and scored when Beckham followed with a single for a 3-2 lead.
Solo home runs from Garcia and Beckham in the sixth put the White Sox up by a 5-2 score.
RBI singles from Melky Cabrera and LaRoche in the seventh along with a sac fly off the bat of Beckham extended Chicago's lead to 8-2.
Game Notes
Chicago batted 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position ... Michael Lorenzen pitches the series finale for Cincinnati on Sunday, while John Danks will take the mound for Chicago.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.