Chen, O's earn sweep of White Sox
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Nelson Cruz's major league-leading 33rd home run helped the Baltimore Orioles take a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox to sweep this three-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.
Steve Pearce and Adam Jones also homered for Baltimore, which swept a series for the eighth time this season. Jones finished with three hits and two runs scored in the triumph.
Wei-Yin Chen (13-4) turned in another quality start for this Baltimore pitching staff, which has been dominant over the club's recent 12-4 stretch. Chen struck out seven in 7 1/3 innings of work and allowed three runs on six hits.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He pounds the strike zone and gives us a chance," Jones said of Chen. "We're able to make good plays and stay consistent behind him."
Baltimore also improved to 25-18 in one-run games.
Hector Noesi's (7-9) two-game winning streak is no more after the White Sox starter surrendered four runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Noesi fanned eight in the setback.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"They're competing," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of his club. "I'm impressed with that. They come, they work."
Avisail Garcia's two-run shot in the bottom of the first inning gave the ChiSox a lead that held until the fourth, when a pair of homers put the visitors in front.
Pearce led off the stanza with a solo shot to cut Chicago's lead in half and after Jones reached base on an infield single, Cruz unleashed his blast into the left-field seats.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jones' 24th home run of the year created a small cushion for Chen, and it proved to be crucial as the White Sox pushed across their third run a half inning later. Alexei Ramirez doubled, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Garcia's sac fly.
Chen went back to the mound for the eighth inning but was lifted for Darren O'Day after giving up back-to-back singles. O'Day fooled slugger Jose Abreu and Garcia, striking out Chicago's No. 3 and 4 hitters to end the inning.
Zach Britton nailed down his 27th save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
The Orioles extended their American League-best road record to 39-26 ... The O's swept the White Sox on the road for the first time since 1995 ... Baltimore has won five of six against Chicago this season ... Chen improved to 6-1 over his last eight starts.