CLEVELAND – Lucas Giolito pitched six scoreless innings, Eloy Jiménez hit a two-touchdown single and the American League Central champions Chicago White Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 5-2 on Sunday.
Chicago secured its first division title since 2008 by beating the Indians in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, but is just 34-33 since the All-Star break.
Giolito (11-9) allowed five hits and struck out six in his 100-pitch performance. Cleveland just put two runners on third base against Giolito, who escaped his most serious threat by retiring Owen Miller with men in first and second to wrap up the sixth inning.
Harold Ramirez homered off Craig Kimbrel in the eighth inning, but Liam Hendricks lowered the curtain for his 36th save in 42 chances.
Jimenez’s two-run hit put Chicago ahead 3-0 in the third inning. Yasmani Grandal, who had three hits, and Leury Garcia added RBI singles.
Garcia doubled and José Abreu and Grandal traded tickets to fill the pads in the third inning. Jiménez followed with his single to left field.
Grandal’s hit put Chicago ahead in the first inning and Garcia’s single extended the margin 4-0 in the sixth inning.
Triston McKenzie (5-8) allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings. Anthony Gose, in his third major league pitching appearance, struck out two foes in the fifth inning.
For the White Sox, the Dominicans Jiménez 5-1 with two RBIs; Garcia 5-2 with one produced and one scored. The Cubans Grandal 4-3 with an RBI; Abreu 3-1 with one scored; Yoán Moncada 4-2.
For the Indians, the Colombians Harold Ramírez 4-2 with one produced and one scored; Oscar Mercado 4-1. The Dominicans José Ramírez 4-1; Amed Rosario 5-0. Puerto Rican Roberto Pérez 4-1 with a run scored.
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