GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: CLEVELAND (64-50) at CHI WHITE SOX (53-60)

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CLEVELAND 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 7 11 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 5 1 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CLE - RAFAEL PEREZ
CHA - BOONE LOGAN

DUE UP FOR CHI WHITE SOX: J DYE (.242, 1-FOR-2, BB, RBI)
D ERSTAD (.267, 1-FOR-2, BB)
J URIBE (.220, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">CLEVELAND (7) VS CHI WHITE SOX (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
G Sizemore cf 5 0 1 0 0 2 2 .277
C Blake 3b 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .265
V Martinez dh 4 2 3 0 1 1 2 .303
R Garko 1b 3 2 1 0 2 0 4 .310
J Peralta ss 5 0 1 1 0 0 5 .280
J Michaels lf 4 1 1 2 1 0 0 .272
F Gutierrez rf 5 1 0 0 0 3 2 .277
K Shoppach c 4 1 2 3 0 1 1 .281
J Barfield 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .246

Totals 38 7 11 6 5 9 19

BATTING: 2B - J Barfield (18, M Buehrle); J Peralta (19, M Buehrle); K Shoppach
(10, R Bukvich). HR - K Shoppach (5, 4th inning off M Buehrle 2 on, 1 Out). RBI
- J Michaels 2 (33), K Shoppach 3 (20), J Peralta (59). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - V Martinez 1, C Blake 1, J Peralta 1, K Shoppach 1, F
Gutierrez 1, R Garko 1. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Michaels (2, 2nd base off B Logan/A Pierzynski).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Michaels (A Pierzynski at 3rd base).


CHI WHITE SOX ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Owens cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .243
J Fields 3b 4 0 0 0 0 3 0 .243
J Thome dh 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 .270
P Konerko 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .269
A Pierzynski c 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .271
J Dye rf 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 .242
D Erstad lf 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 .267
J Uribe ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .220
D Richar 2b 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .222

Totals 28 4 5 4 3 7 5

BATTING: HR - A Pierzynski (11, 6th inning off A Laffey 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J
Uribe (46), D Richar (1), J Dye (61), A Pierzynski (40). 2-out RBI - J Uribe, D
Richar, J Dye. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Owens 1. Team LOB -
4.

FIELDING: E - J Fields (7, ground ball). DP: 1 (J Uribe-P Konerko).


----------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND - 000 520 000 -- 7
CHI WHITE SOX - 021 001 00 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era
A Laffey 5 2/3 5 4 4 3 4 1 5.73
J Lewis 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 3.09
R Perez 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.82

CHI WHITE SOX ip h r er bb so hr era
M Buehrle 4 8 7 6 2 2 1 3.34
E Wassermann 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 3.48
R Bukvich 2 2 0 0 0 4 0 3.16
B Logan 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 4.54

M Buehrle pitched to 3 batters in the 5th.

IBB - V Martinez (by E Wassermann). HBP - J Thome (by A Laffey).
Pitches-strikes: A Laffey 95-59; J Lewis 18-11; R Perez 13-10; M Buehrle 89-60;
E Wassermann 35-20; R Bukvich 37-26; B Logan 17-7. Ground balls-fly balls: A
Laffey 11-1; J Lewis 0-2; R Perez 2-0; M Buehrle 6-5; E Wassermann 3-1; R
Bukvich 1-1; B Logan 1-0. Batters faced: A Laffey 25; J Lewis 4; R Perez 3; M
Buehrle 23; E Wassermann 8; R Bukvich 8; B Logan 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Froemming. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mark Wegner. 3B--Rob
Drake.

Weather: 86 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, left to right.</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - PITCHING CHANGE
CLE: JOE BOROWSKI (2-4, 4.84) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4

DUE UP FOR CHWHITESOX: J DYE (.242, 1-FOR-2, RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Borowski relieved R Perez.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 7
CHI WHITE SOX 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHI WHITE SOX: J Dye (.242, 1-FOR-2, RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY JUAN URIBE (13) TO LEFT WITH 2 OUT IN THE
9TH OFF JOE BOROWSKI.
CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 5

DUE UP FOR CHI WHITE SOX: D RICHAR (.222, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CLEVELAND 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 7 11 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 6 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CLE - AARON LAFFEY, JENSEN LEWIS (6TH), RAFAEL PEREZ (8TH), JOE
BOROWSKI (9TH) AND KELLY SHOPPACH

CHA - MARK BUEHRLE, EHREN WASSERMANN (5TH), RYAN
BUKVICH (7TH), BOONE LOGAN (9TH) AND A.J. PIERZYNSKI

HOME RUNS: CLE - KELLY SHOPPACH (5) OFF MARK BUEHRLE IN THE 4TH, 2 ON

CHA - A.J. PIERZYNSKI (11) OFF AARON LAFFEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JUAN URIBE (13) OFF JOE BOROWSKI IN THE 9TH, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CLEVELAND 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 7 11 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 6 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CLE - AARON LAFFEY, JENSEN LEWIS (6TH), RAFAEL PEREZ (8TH), JOE
BOROWSKI (9TH) AND KELLY SHOPPACH

CHA - MARK BUEHRLE, EHREN WASSERMANN (5TH), RYAN
BUKVICH (7TH), BOONE LOGAN (9TH) AND A.J. PIERZYNSKI


WP - AARON LAFFEY (1-1)
LP - MARK BUEHRLE (9-7)
SAVE - JOE BOROWSKI (32)

HOME RUNS: CLE - KELLY SHOPPACH (5) OFF MARK BUEHRLE IN THE 4TH, 2 ON

CHA - A.J. PIERZYNSKI (11) OFF AARON LAFFEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JUAN URIBE (13) OFF JOE BOROWSKI IN THE 9TH, 0 ON


TIME: 3:03 ATT: 36,399

PROBABLES: SEA - JARROD WASHBURN (8-8, 4.18)
CHA - JAVIER VAZQUEZ (9-6, 3.64)

PROBABLES: NYY - PHILIP HUGHES (1-1, 5.87)
CLE - FAUSTO CARMONA (13-6, 3.17)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">CLEVELAND (7) VS CHI WHITE SOX (5) - FINAL

CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
G Sizemore cf 5 0 1 0 0 2 2 .277
C Blake 3b 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .265
V Martinez dh 4 2 3 0 1 1 2 .303
R Garko 1b 3 2 1 0 2 0 4 .310
J Peralta ss 5 0 1 1 0 0 5 .280
J Michaels lf 4 1 1 2 1 0 0 .272
F Gutierrez rf 5 1 0 0 0 3 2 .277
K Shoppach c 4 1 2 3 0 1 1 .281
J Barfield 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .246

Totals 38 7 11 6 5 9 19

BATTING: 2B - J Barfield (18, M Buehrle); J Peralta (19, M Buehrle); K Shoppach
(10, R Bukvich). HR - K Shoppach (5, 4th inning off M Buehrle 2 on, 1 Out). RBI
- J Michaels 2 (33), K Shoppach 3 (20), J Peralta (59). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - V Martinez 1, C Blake 1, J Peralta 1, K Shoppach 1, F
Gutierrez 1, R Garko 1. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Michaels (2, 2nd base off B Logan/A Pierzynski).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Michaels (A Pierzynski at 3rd base).


CHI WHITE SOX ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Owens cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .243
J Fields 3b 4 0 0 0 0 3 0 .243
J Thome dh 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 .270
P Konerko 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .269
A Pierzynski c 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .271
J Dye rf 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 .242
D Erstad lf 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .266
J Uribe ss 4 1 2 2 0 0 1 .222
D Richar 2b 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .214

Totals 32 5 6 5 3 9 5

BATTING: HR - A Pierzynski (11, 6th inning off A Laffey 0 on, 0 Out), J Uribe
(13, 9th inning off J Borowski 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Uribe 2 (47), D Richar
(1), J Dye (61), A Pierzynski (40). 2-out RBI - J Uribe 2, D Richar, J Dye.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Owens 1. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: E - J Fields (7, ground ball). DP: 1 (J Uribe-P Konerko).


----------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND - 000 520 000 -- 7
CHI WHITE SOX - 021 001 001 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era
A Laffey (W, 1-1) 5 2/3 5 4 4 3 4 1 5.73
J Lewis (H, 1) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 3.09
R Perez (H, 6) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.82
J Borowski (S, 32) 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 4.93

CHI WHITE SOX ip h r er bb so hr era
M Buehrle (L, 9-7) 4 8 7 6 2 2 1 3.34
E Wassermann 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 3.48
R Bukvich 2 2 0 0 0 4 0 3.16
B Logan 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 4.54

M Buehrle pitched to 3 batters in the 5th.

IBB - V Martinez (by E Wassermann). HBP - J Thome (by A Laffey).
Pitches-strikes: A Laffey 95-59; J Lewis 18-11; R Perez 13-10; J Borowski
18-11; M Buehrle 89-60; E Wassermann 35-20; R Bukvich 37-26; B Logan 17-7.
Ground balls-fly balls: A Laffey 11-1; J Lewis 0-2; R Perez 2-0; J Borowski
1-0; M Buehrle 6-5; E Wassermann 3-1; R Bukvich 1-1; B Logan 1-0. Batters
faced: A Laffey 25; J Lewis 4; R Perez 3; J Borowski 4; M Buehrle 23; E
Wassermann 8; R Bukvich 8; B Logan 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Froemming. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mark Wegner. 3B--Rob
Drake.

T--3:03. Att--36,399.
Weather: 86 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, left
to right.</div>

 

Shoppach's three-run blast helps Indians get past White Sox

<h3>CLEVELAND 7 CHI WHITE SOX 5</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- With huge home games coming up, KellyShoppach and the Cleveland Indians finished their road trek on awinning note.


Shoppach hit a key three-run homer in a five-run fourth inningas the Indians posted a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Soxon Thursday.


Rookie Aaron Laffey pitched 5 2/3 effective innings and JasonMichaels also drove in a pair of runs for Cleveland, whichfinished its nine-game road trip with a 5-4 mark.


The win also helped the Indians (65-50) move 1 1/2 games infront of the Detroit Tigers (63-51) for first place in theAmerican League Central Division. The Tigers lost to the TampaBay Devil Rays, 8-1, earlier Thursday.


However, things do not get easier for Cleveland, which reteurnshome to host a three-game series vs. the streaking New YorkYankees as well as a two-game set with Detroit. Both New York(63-51), which has won five of six, and Detroit are onlyone-half game behind the Seattle Mariners (63-49) for the leadin the AL wild card race.


After the White Sox built a 3-0 lead against Laffey after threeinnings, Shoppach and the Indians rallied in the next frame.

Following an RBI single by Michaels that gave Cleveland itsfirst run, Ryan Garko scored all the way from second base on afielding error by third baseman Josh Fields to cut the deficitto 3-2.


With one out and runners on first and second, Shoppach hammeredthe first pitch he saw from Chicago starter Mark Buehrle overthe right field wall, giving the Indians a 5-3 advantage.

That was enough for the 22-year-old Laffey (1-1), who allowedfour runs, five hits and three walks en route to his first majorleague victory. The lefthander, who was called up from ClassAAA Buffalo last Saturday, also struck out four.


Rookie reliever Jensen Lewis pitched 1 1/3 frames and RafaelPerez hurled a 1-2-3 eighth before closer Joe Borowski workedaround a two-out solo homer by Juan Uribe to record his 32ndsave in 36 opportunities.


In the Indians' half of the fifth, consecutive singles by VictorMartinez - who had three hits - and Garko were followed by arun-scoring double by Jhonny Peralta, increasing Cleveland'slead to three and driving Buehrle out of the game. Michaelsfollowed with an RBI groundout to make it 7-3.


Buehrle (9-7) surrendered seven runs - six earned - and eighthits in four-plus innings. The lefthander, who walked two andstruck out two, fell to 8-11 lifetime vs. the Indians.

A.J. Pierzynski also hit a solo homer for the White Sox, whohave dropped two of three following a four-game winning streak.

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
CLEVELAND 7
CHI WHITE SOX 5 FINAL</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLEVELAND (7) AT CHI WHITE SOX (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: P Konerko grounded out to shortstop. A Pierzynski
grounded out to second. J Dye walked. D Erstad singled to left, J Dye to
second. J Uribe singled to left, J Dye scored, D Erstad to second. D Richar
singled to center, D Erstad scored, J Uribe to third. J Owens struck out
swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 0, CHI WHITE SOX 2.

CHI WHITE SOX 3RD: J Fields struck out swinging. J Thome hit by pitch.
P Konerko grounded out to first, J Thome to second. A Pierzynski walked. J Dye
singled to left, J Thome scored, A Pierzynski to second, A Pierzynski thrown
out at third attempting to advance on play. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CLEVELAND 4TH: V Martinez reached on infield single to third. R Garko
walked, V Martinez to second. J Peralta flied out to left. J Michaels singled
to deep left, V Martinez scored, R Garko to second. F Gutierrez grounded into
fielder's choice to third, R Garko scored on error by third baseman J Fields,
J Michaels to second. K Shoppach homered to right, J Michaels and F Gutierrez
scored. J Barfield doubled to deep center. G Sizemore flied out to right,
J Barfield to third. C Blake flied out to left. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error)
CLEVELAND 5, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CLEVELAND 5TH: V Martinez singled to right. R Garko singled to center,
V Martinez to second. J Peralta doubled to deep left, V Martinez scored, R Garko
to third. E Wassermann relieved M Buehrle. J Michaels grounded out to second,
R Garko scored, J Peralta to third. F Gutierrez grounded out to third.
K Shoppach struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 6TH: A Pierzynski homered to right. J Dye grounded out to
second. D Erstad grounded out to pitcher. J Lewis relieved A Laffey. J Uribe
flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 9TH: J Borowski relieved R Perez. J Dye struck out swinging.
D Erstad grounded out to second. J Uribe homered to left. D Richar struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 5.</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CLEVELAND 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 7 11 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 6 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CLE - AARON LAFFEY, JENSEN LEWIS (6TH), RAFAEL PEREZ (8TH), JOE
BOROWSKI (9TH) AND KELLY SHOPPACH

CHA - MARK BUEHRLE, EHREN WASSERMANN (5TH), RYAN
BUKVICH (7TH), BOONE LOGAN (9TH) AND A.J. PIERZYNSKI


WP - AARON LAFFEY (1-1)
LP - MARK BUEHRLE (9-7)
SAVE - JOE BOROWSKI (32)

HOME RUNS: CLE - KELLY SHOPPACH (5) OFF MARK BUEHRLE IN THE 4TH, 2 ON

CHA - A.J. PIERZYNSKI (11) OFF AARON LAFFEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JUAN URIBE (13) OFF JOE BOROWSKI IN THE 9TH, 0 ON


TIME: 3:03 ATT: 36,399

PROBABLES: SEA - JARROD WASHBURN (8-8, 4.18)
CHA - JAVIER VAZQUEZ (9-6, 3.64)

PROBABLES: NYY - PHILIP HUGHES (1-1, 5.87)
CLE - FAUSTO CARMONA (13-6, 3.17)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLEVELAND (7) AT CHI WHITE SOX (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cleveland Starting Lineups -- G Sizemore CF, C Blake 3B, V Martinez DH, R Garko 1B,
J Peralta SS, J Michaels LF, F Gutierrez RF, K Shoppach C, J Barfield 2B,
A Laffey LHP.

Chi White Sox Starting Lineups -- J Owens CF, J Fields 3B, J Thome DH,
P Konerko 1B, A Pierzynski C, J Dye RF, D Erstad LF, J Uribe SS, D Richar 2B,
M Buehrle LHP.

Umpires -- Bruce Froemming (HP), Brian Runge (1B), Mark Wegner (2B), Rob Drake (3B).

Gametime Weather: 86 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind left to right at 7 mph.


CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore struck out swinging. C Blake walked. V Martinez
singled to deep left, C Blake to third. R Garko popped out to first.
J Peralta grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, V Martinez out at second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 1ST: J Owens struck out swinging. J Fields grounded out to
third. J Thome grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: J Michaels flied out to center. F Gutierrez struck out
swinging. K Shoppach grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: P Konerko grounded out to shortstop. A Pierzynski
grounded out to second. J Dye walked. D Erstad singled to left, J Dye to
second. J Uribe singled to left, J Dye scored, D Erstad to second. D Richar
singled to center, D Erstad scored, J Uribe to third. J Owens struck out
swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 0, CHI WHITE SOX 2.

CLEVELAND 3RD: J Barfield grounded out to shortstop. G Sizemore grounded
out to third. C Blake grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 0, CHI WHITE SOX 2.

CHI WHITE SOX 3RD: J Fields struck out swinging. J Thome hit by pitch.
P Konerko grounded out to first, J Thome to second. A Pierzynski walked. J Dye
singled to left, J Thome scored, A Pierzynski to second, A Pierzynski thrown
out at third attempting to advance on play. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CLEVELAND 4TH: V Martinez reached on infield single to third. R Garko
walked, V Martinez to second. J Peralta flied out to left. J Michaels singled
to deep left, V Martinez scored, R Garko to second. F Gutierrez grounded into
fielder's choice to third, R Garko scored on error by third baseman J Fields,
J Michaels to second. K Shoppach homered to right, J Michaels and F Gutierrez
scored. J Barfield doubled to deep center. G Sizemore flied out to right,
J Barfield to third. C Blake flied out to left. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error)
CLEVELAND 5, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 4TH: D Erstad walked. J Uribe flied out to center. D Richar
grounded into fielder's choice to pitcher, D Erstad out at second. J Owens
grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 5, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CLEVELAND 5TH: V Martinez singled to right. R Garko singled to center,
V Martinez to second. J Peralta doubled to deep left, V Martinez scored, R Garko
to third. E Wassermann relieved M Buehrle. J Michaels grounded out to second,
R Garko scored, J Peralta to third. F Gutierrez grounded out to third.
K Shoppach struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 5TH: J Fields struck out swinging. J Thome grounded out to
first. P Konerko grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CLEVELAND 6TH: J Barfield struck out swinging. G Sizemore singled to
right. C Blake grounded out to third, G Sizemore to second. V Martinez
intentionally walked. R Garko lined out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 6TH: A Pierzynski homered to right. J Dye grounded out to
second. D Erstad grounded out to pitcher. J Lewis relieved A Laffey. J Uribe
flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CLEVELAND 7TH: R Bukvich relieved E Wassermann. J Peralta grounded out to
second. J Michaels flied out to right. F Gutierrez struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 7TH: D Richar flied out to center. J Owens struck out
looking. J Fields struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7,
CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CLEVELAND 8TH: K Shoppach doubled to deep right. J Barfield singled to
right, K Shoppach to third. G Sizemore struck out looking. C Blake struck out
swinging. V Martinez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 8TH: R Perez relieved J Lewis. J Thome grounded out to
second. P Konerko struck out looking. A Pierzynski grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CLEVELAND 9TH: B Logan relieved R Bukvich. R Garko walked. J Peralta
grounded into double play, shortstop to first, R Garko out at second. J Michaels
walked. J Michaels stole second. F Gutierrez struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 9TH: J Borowski relieved R Perez. J Dye struck out swinging.
D Erstad grounded out to second. J Uribe homered to left. D Richar struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, CHI WHITE SOX 5.</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">CLEVELAND (7) VS CHI WHITE SOX (5) - FINAL

CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
G Sizemore cf 5 0 1 0 0 2 2 .277
C Blake 3b 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 .265
V Martinez dh 4 2 3 0 1 1 2 .303
R Garko 1b 3 2 1 0 2 0 4 .310
J Peralta ss 5 0 1 1 0 0 5 .280
J Michaels lf 4 1 1 2 1 0 0 .272
F Gutierrez rf 5 1 0 0 0 3 2 .277
K Shoppach c 4 1 2 3 0 1 1 .281
J Barfield 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .246

Totals 38 7 11 6 5 9 19

BATTING: 2B - J Barfield (18, M Buehrle); J Peralta (19, M Buehrle); K Shoppach
(10, R Bukvich). HR - K Shoppach (5, 4th inning off M Buehrle 2 on, 1 Out). RBI
- J Michaels 2 (33), K Shoppach 3 (20), J Peralta (59). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - V Martinez 1, C Blake 1, J Peralta 1, K Shoppach 1, F
Gutierrez 1, R Garko 1. GIDP - J Peralta. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Michaels (2, 2nd base off B Logan/A Pierzynski).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Michaels (A Pierzynski at 3rd base).


CHI WHITE SOX ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Owens cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .243
J Fields 3b 4 0 0 0 0 3 0 .243
J Thome dh 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 .270
P Konerko 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .269
A Pierzynski c 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .271
J Dye rf 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 .242
D Erstad lf 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .266
J Uribe ss 4 1 2 2 0 0 1 .222
D Richar 2b 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .214

Totals 32 5 6 5 3 9 5

BATTING: HR - A Pierzynski (11, 6th inning off A Laffey 0 on, 0 Out), J Uribe
(13, 9th inning off J Borowski 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Uribe 2 (47), D Richar
(1), J Dye (61), A Pierzynski (40). 2-out RBI - J Uribe 2, D Richar, J Dye.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Owens 1. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: E - J Fields (7, ground ball). DP: 1 (J Uribe-P Konerko).


----------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND - 000 520 000 -- 7
CHI WHITE SOX - 021 001 001 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era
A Laffey (W, 1-1) 5 2/3 5 4 4 3 4 1 5.73
J Lewis (H, 1) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 3.09
R Perez (H, 6) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.82
J Borowski (S, 32) 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 4.93

CHI WHITE SOX ip h r er bb so hr era
M Buehrle (L, 9-7) 4 8 7 6 2 2 1 3.34
E Wassermann 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 3.48
R Bukvich 2 2 0 0 0 4 0 3.16
B Logan 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 4.54

M Buehrle pitched to 3 batters in the 5th.

IBB - V Martinez (by E Wassermann). HBP - J Thome (by A Laffey).
Pitches-strikes: A Laffey 95-59; J Lewis 18-11; R Perez 13-10; J Borowski
18-11; M Buehrle 89-60; E Wassermann 35-20; R Bukvich 37-26; B Logan 17-7.
Ground balls-fly balls: A Laffey 11-1; J Lewis 0-2; R Perez 2-0; J Borowski
1-0; M Buehrle 6-5; E Wassermann 3-1; R Bukvich 1-1; B Logan 2-0. Batters
faced: A Laffey 25; J Lewis 4; R Perez 3; J Borowski 4; M Buehrle 23; E
Wassermann 8; R Bukvich 8; B Logan 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Froemming. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mark Wegner. 3B--Rob
Drake.

T--3:03. Att--36,399.
Weather: 86 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, left
to right.</div>

 

Shoppach's three-run blast helps Indians get past White Sox

<h3>CLEVELAND 7 CHI WHITE SOX 5</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- With huge home games coming up, KellyShoppach and the Cleveland Indians finished their road trek on awinning note.


Shoppach hit a key three-run homer in a five-run fourth inningas the Indians posted a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Soxon Thursday.


Rookie Aaron Laffey pitched 5 2/3 effective innings and JasonMichaels also drove in a pair of runs for Cleveland, whichfinished its nine-game road trip with a 5-4 mark.


"The guys played good, hard baseball and found a way to getthings done," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "When you end upon the positive side of things, record-wise, you've gotta feelgood about it."


The win also helped the Indians (65-50) move 1 1/2 games infront of the Detroit Tigers (63-51) for first place in theAmerican League Central Division. The Tigers lost to the TampaBay Devil Rays, 8-1, earlier Thursday.


However, things do not get easier for Cleveland, which returnshome to host a three-game series vs. the streaking New YorkYankees as well as a two-game set with Detroit.


"You always try to win series," Wedge said. "(But) it's one dayat a time. We're going back to Cleveland, and we'll turn ourfocus to New York."


Both New York (63-51), which has won five of six, and Detroitare only one-half game behind the Seattle Mariners (63-49) forthe lead in the AL wild card race.


After the White Sox built a 3-0 lead against Laffey after threeinnings, Shoppach and the Indians rallied in the next frame.

Following an RBI single by Michaels that gave Cleveland itsfirst run, Ryan Garko scored all the way from second base on afielding error by third baseman Josh Fields to cut the deficitto 3-2.


With one out and runners on first and second, Shoppach hammeredthe first pitch he saw from Chicago starter Mark Buehrle overthe right field wall, giving the Indians a 5-3 advantage.

"In my first at-bat, (Buehrle) got me to roll over on the samepitch," Shoppach said. "I'm assuming in that next at-bat hewanted to get a double-play ball, so he threw the same thing,but I made a little adjustment."


That was enough for the 22-year-old Laffey (1-1), who allowedfour runs, five hits and three walks en route to his first majorleague victory. The lefthander, who was called up from ClassAAA Buffalo last Saturday, also struck out four.


"I think my stuff tonight was better than my debut, but Ipitched up in the zone tonight, and that hurt me," Laffey said."It was really exciting for me to be pitching against Buehrle.He's a guy I've looked up to as a lefthanded starter."

Despite the win, Laffey was sent back down to Buffalo after thegame to make room for infielder Chris Gomez, who was claimed offwaivers from the Baltimore Orioles earlier Thursday.

"I knew there was the possibility (of being sent back down),"Laffey said. "I'm not in any way disappointed. I got my firstwin tonight, and I'm happy with that. I'm going to take what Ilearned up here and execute pitches to get back."


Rookie reliever Jensen Lewis pitched 1 1/3 frames and RafaelPerez hurled a 1-2-3 eighth before closer Joe Borowski workedaround a two-out solo homer by Juan Uribe to record his 32ndsave in 36 opportunities.


In the Indians' half of the fifth, consecutive singles by VictorMartinez - who had three hits - and Garko were followed by arun-scoring double by Jhonny Peralta, increasing Cleveland'slead to three and driving Buehrle out of the game. Michaelsfollowed with an RBI groundout to make it 7-3.


Buehrle (9-7) surrendered seven runs - six earned - and eighthits in four-plus innings. The lefthander, who walked two andstruck out two, fell to 8-11 lifetime vs. the Indians.

"It was just one of those nights that you don't want to see toooften," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It was astruggle for him tonight. He just had a bad night, (and) wedidn't make plays behind him. The only people who don't makeerrors are the ones that sit beside me on the bench."

A.J. Pierzynski also hit a solo homer for the White Sox, whohave dropped two of three following a four-game winning streak.