Pitcher Jake Westbrook had gone 12 consecutive starts without a victory.
CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Westbrook retired 23 of 24 batters at one stretch and Grady Sizemore hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
Westbrook (3-6) battled through hot and humid conditions to win his second straight outing after going 12 consecutive starts without a win.
After allowing a run in the first inning, he retired 12 in a row before Scott Podsednik's fifth-inning single and then set down 11 another straight.
In his best outing of the season, he allowed one run and two hits, struck out five and hit a batter.
It was Westbrook's ninth start since missing six weeks with a left abdominal strain.
Joe Borowski worked out of his own jam in the ninth, getting A.J. Pierzynski on a soft line drive with runners on first and third for his 31st save in 34 chances.
Still in first
The first-place Indians held on to a one-half game lead over Detroit, which beat Tampa Bay 9-6, in the AL Central and snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak.
White Sox starter John Danks (6-9) didn't allow a hit until Jhonny Peralta led off the fifth inning with a single.
One out later, Jason Michaels doubled down the line in left moving Peralta to third.
With two outs, Sizemore drove in both runners to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.
Jerry Owens led off the Chicago first with a single, stole second and moved to third on a groundout.
After Jim Thome was hit by a pitch, Paul Konerko hit a sacrifice fly.
Danks allowed two runs and four hits over six innings.
He had a career-high eight strikeouts and walked one.
Notes
The Indians made roster moves before the game, calling up INF Asdrubal Cabrera and signing INF Russell Branyan to a minor league contract.
INF Mike Rouse was designated for assignment to make room for Cabrera. Rouse hit .119 in 41 games. Branyan will play for Triple-A Buffalo.
Podsednik made a diving catch in left field on Victor Martinez's ball in the sixth inning.
First-pitch temperature was 89 degrees with high humidity.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Pitcher Jake Westbrook had gone 12 consecutive starts without a victory.
CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Westbrook retired 23 of 24 batters at one stretch and Grady Sizemore hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
Westbrook (3-6) battled through hot and humid conditions to win his second straight outing after going 12 consecutive starts without a win.
After allowing a run in the first inning, he retired 12 in a row before Scott Podsednik's fifth-inning single and then set down 11 another straight.
In his best outing of the season, he allowed one run and two hits, struck out five and hit a batter.
It was Westbrook's ninth start since missing six weeks with a left abdominal strain.
Joe Borowski worked out of his own jam in the ninth, getting A.J. Pierzynski on a soft line drive with runners on first and third for his 31st save in 34 chances.
Still in first
The first-place Indians held on to a one-half game lead over Detroit, which beat Tampa Bay 9-6, in the AL Central and snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak.
White Sox starter John Danks (6-9) didn't allow a hit until Jhonny Peralta led off the fifth inning with a single.
One out later, Jason Michaels doubled down the line in left moving Peralta to third.
With two outs, Sizemore drove in both runners to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.
Jerry Owens led off the Chicago first with a single, stole second and moved to third on a groundout.
After Jim Thome was hit by a pitch, Paul Konerko hit a sacrifice fly.
Danks allowed two runs and four hits over six innings.
He had a career-high eight strikeouts and walked one.
Notes
The Indians made roster moves before the game, calling up INF Asdrubal Cabrera and signing INF Russell Branyan to a minor league contract.
INF Mike Rouse was designated for assignment to make room for Cabrera. Rouse hit .119 in 41 games. Branyan will play for Triple-A Buffalo.
Podsednik made a diving catch in left field on Victor Martinez's ball in the sixth inning.
First-pitch temperature was 89 degrees with high humidity.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Jake Westbrook retired 23 of 24 batters at one stretch and Grady Sizemore hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth...
