Carrasco strikes out 11, Indians beat White Sox 4-0
CHICAGO (AP) -- Carlos Carrasco struck out 11 while pitching two-hit ball over seven innings, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 4-0 on Monday night.
Michael Brantley hit his 11th homer and the AL Central leaders took advantage of another wild outing by Lucas Giolito to win for the fifth time in six games. They improved to 4-0 against Chicago.
Carrasco (8-4) gave up singles to Kevan Smith and Charlie Tilson in the second before striking out Adam Engel to end the threat. The right-hander issued just one walk, giving him a total of two to go with 21 strikeouts while winning his past two starts.
Three relievers combined to work the final two innings, with Neil Ramirez retiring all three batters in the ninth to complete the two-hitter.
Giolito (4-7) threw more balls (47) than strikes (46) in giving up four runs and four hits in five-plus innings. The 23-year-old righty walked four to bring his season total to 43 as the White Sox opened a seven-game homestand on a losing note after taking two of three at Boston.
Owner of the majors' second-worst ERA coming into the game, Giolito ran into trouble in the fourth when he walked Yonder Alonso and Melky Cabrera with two outs.
Lonnie Chisenhall blooped an RBI single in front of diving center fielder Adam Engel before Yan Gomes lined a two-run double to left.
Brantley added a long drive down the right-field line in the fifth.
ROSTER MOVES
The Indians recalled catcher and outfielder Francisco Mejia from Triple-A Columbus and optioned right-hander Evan Marshall to the minor league club. They also released right-hander Matt Belisle from his minor league contract.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: 2B Jason Kipnis was out of the lineup for the second straight game and 1B Edwin Encarnacion (ankle) for the third in a row. ... Manager Terry Francona said LHP Andrew Miller had his "best" bullpen session since he was placed on the 10-day disabled list in late May because of inflammation in his left knee. Miller will likely throw another one Wednesday and could start facing hitters once the team opens a nine-game homestand on Friday. ... Francona said the Indians were waiting another day to decide whether to place catcher Roberto Perez on the DL. He was hit by a pitch in the right wrist against Detroit on Sunday. ... The Indians held off on activating OF Brandon Guyer after he was hit on the wrist during a rehab game for Columbus on Sunday.
White Sox: General manager Rick Hahn said OF Avisail Garcia (strained right hamstring) will start a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Charlotte, and OF Leury Garcia (sprained left knee) is close to going on one.
UP NEXT
Indians: Plan to call up RHP Adam Plutko (3-0, 3.93 ERA) from Triple-A Columbus to pitch Tuesday night against Chicago. He has won all three starts for Cleveland this season, though he gave up five runs in a win over the White Sox on May 28.
White Sox: James Shields (1-7, 4.92) once again tries for his first win since a season-opening victory over Kansas City. The veteran right-hander is 0-7 in his past 12 starts and 13 games.
