Swisher and Reynolds Pound Chris Sale for 9-4 Win

By:  Stephen Parsons
 
Last night at Progressive Field, it was a pitchers duel deep into the Cleveland night with only 1 run on 3 Indians hits.  This afternoon was a completely different story as the Indians beat up lefthander Chris Sale for a 2nd consecutive win to improve 2-0 in the AL Central this season.

Chris Sale had a very impressive  season in 2012, his first as a starting pitcher.  He was especially tough on the Cleveland Indians going 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA.  In 20 and 2/3 innings pitched against Cleveland, he struck out 12 batters last season.  He finished with a 17-8 record with a 3.05 ERA striking out 192 batters last season.

However today the Indians would get to Sale.  It started how it ended last night, Nick Swisher hit a 2-run home run in the Bottom of the 1st inning, once again with 2 outs.

Granted, the White Sox got on the score board first due to a throwing error by Mark Reynolds, and a RBI single by Paul Konerko.  With Swisher tying the game at 2, it would be the Indians again striking in the Bottom of the 3rd inning, this time it was Mark Reynolds hitting a single to center field scoring Nick Swisher giving the Tribe a 3-2 advantage.

Fast forward to the Bottom of the 5th inning, the Indians would blow it wide open.  Mark Reynolds would hit a grand slam over the left field wall, his 5th home run of the season, to make it 7-2 Indians.  But the Tribe wasn’t done for the 5th, Yan Gomes would hit a solo home run to center field, scoring Michael Brantley, making it a 9-2 Indians lead.

That would officially close the book on Chris Sale, in 4 and 1/3 innings pitched he allowed 8 runs on 8 hits, striking out 3 batters, walking 2 and allowing 2 home runs.  8 runs allowed for Sale is a new career high for him.  He would take the loss dropping him to 1-1 this season with a 5.21 ERA.
The White Sox would get 2 more runs during garbage time off Bryan Shaw in the 7th and an unearned run off Joe Smith in the 9th.

Zach McCallister would get his first win of the season.  His line read 6 and 1/3 innings pitched allowing 3 runs, only 1 earned, on 5 hits, striking out 6 White Sox batters.  McCallister improves to 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA this season.

My Thoughts:

Great win today against a pitcher who quite frankly dominated this team last year.  Getting on the score board early was a huge key for today’s game.  Chris Sale loves pitching with a lead, not so much when pitching from behind.  As previously stated, 8 runs a new career high for Chris Sale.
Great job by recognition of getting the series win early and going for the sweep tomorrow.  This win puts the Tribe back at .500 at 5-5.

Coming Up Next:

The White Sox ace Jake Peavy will be on the mound tomorrow he is 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA.  He will be opposed by Brett Myers who is 0-1 with a 12.19 ERA this season.  Myers missed his last start due to having to make a relief appearance on Tuesday after the Carrasco ejection.  Myers pitched 4 and 1/3 innings allowing 7 runs against the Yankees.

First pitch is at 1:05 PM at Progressive Field.