Indians 3, White Sox 2
CHICAGO -- Asdrubal Cabrera's two-run double in the eighth inning powered the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday in a battle of slumping teams at U.S. Cellular Field.
Cabrera's blast to center field scored Drew Stubbs, who reached base on a single and then stole second, as well as Michael Brantley, who walked. Both runners advanced one base when White Sox reliever Matt Thornton (0-1) threw the ball into center field for an error while trying to pick off Stubbs at second base.
Cleveland (8-10) had lost five of its previous seven games. Chicago (7-12) lost its fourth in a row.
Indians right-hander Justin Masterson (4-1) pitched seven innings of two-run ball for the win. He gave up four hits and four walks while striking out five.
Cleveland reliever Vinnie Pestano threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning, setting things up for Chris Perez, who pitched a scoreless ninth to record his third save of the season.
White Sox catcher Hector Gimenez left the game after being struck by a pitch in his left shin by Masterson in the bottom of the seventh.
Gimenez was unable to get out of the way of what appeared to be a fastball down and in.
He sank to the ground and struggled several times to get back on his feet. He finally was able to get back up and left the field under his own power. He was replaced by pinch runner Blake Tekotte.
Tyler Flowers came on to catch for the White Sox in the top of the eighth. No status update was given on Gimenez's injury during the game.
White Sox starter Dylan Axelrod gave up the Indians' first run in the second, but he settled down and retired 11 of the last 13 batters he faced. Axelrod allowed just one run on three hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked two.
The White Sox broke a tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Conor Gillaspie walked, and he was forced at second when Alexei Ramirez hit into a fielder's choice. Gimenez's double off the left-center-field wall scored Ramirez to make it 2-1 in Chicago's favor.
The Indians were first to get on the scoreboard in the second inning. Jason Giambi singled, moved to second when Mark Reynolds walked and scored on Lonnie Chisenhall's double.
The advantage was short-lived, as the White Sox's first batter in the bottom of the inning, Gillaspie, jumped on an 0-1 pitch from Justin Masterson and deposited it in the right field stands, tying the contest at 1-1.
NOTES: One day after he was called up from Triple-A Columbus, RHP Fernando Nieve was designated for assignment Monday when the Indians activated RHP Matt Albers from the restricted list. ... Chicago 2B Jeff Keppinger's single in the first inning broke a 0-for-24 slump. ... Cleveland RHP Brett Myers, who was placed on the disabled list Sunday, has been diagnosed with right elbow tendinitis and a mild sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament. Doctors have ordered him not to throw for two weeks and then to have a status examination. ... Including rainouts on April 10 and 11, the Indians are in the midst of a stretch where they will play 16 of their first 24 games on the road. ... Tuesday night's matchup has Cleveland RHP Zach McAllister (1-2) vs. Chicago LHP Jose Quintana (1-0). ... The White Sox still have not set a makeup date for Friday's rainout vs. the Minnesota Twins. ... The paid attendance Tuesday was 14,950.