CLEVELAND — Shin-Soo Choo hit a go-ahead RBI double in a two-run eighth inning, lifting the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Chicago starter Jake Peavy was five outs from his first win of the season, but Asdrubal Cabrera homered with one-out in the eighth to tie it.
Matt Thornton (1-1) gave up Grady Sizemore’s single. Choo lined a 1-2 pitch to the wall in left-center and Sizemore scored easily.
Jensen Lewis (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth. Chris Perez worked the ninth for his third save in four chances.
Jake Westbrook took a two-hit shutout into the sixth, but Mark Teahen drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on Alexi Ramirez’s double. The White Sox had runners on first and third with one out, but Carlos Quentin hit into a double play.
Chicago took the lead in the seventh. Andruw Jones started the rally with a one-out single and took second on a groundout. Alex Rios doubled to left-center with two outs on Westbrook’s first pitch.
Westbrook, who hasn’t won since beating the Angels on April 8, 2008, gave up two runs in seven innings. He had surgery on his right elbow in June of that season and missed all of 2009.
Cleveland’s first run came on an unusual play. Sizemore tripled to left-center and scored when Choo lined an apparent double to right. However, when Travis Hafner came to bat, the white Sox appealed at first base, claiming Choo missed the bag. First base umpire Dan Bellino called Choo out. Under Rule 10.06 d, Choo lost his base hit and the play was ruled a fielder’s choice with an RBI.
Westbrook retired the side on five pitches in the fourth.
The Indians allowed any fan with a ticket from the Cavaliers-Bulls NBA playoff game, played next door at Quicken Loans Arena, to watch the conclusion of the baseball game for $5.
NOTES: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said RHP Freddy Garcia, who is 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in two starts will be skipped in the rotation and won’t start again until April 24 against Seattle. … RHP Kerry Wood, sidelined since spring training with a sore back, threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday. … Indians players wore brown hats made of recycled material Saturday. The Indians are among several other area companies stressing environmental actions and awareness.
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