CLEVELAND — The Chicago White Sox were pretty happy with a little role reversal in Cleveland.
Carlos Rodon pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, leading the White Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Indians Sunday to complete a four-game sweep.
Carlos Sanchez homered for the second straight day for Chicago, which was 4-16 at Progressive Field since 2013 coming into the series. The White Sox never trailed in the series and outscored the faltering Indians 26-5.
"This place has been tough on us the last couple of years," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "To come in here and do this is nice."
On the other hand, the mood in the Indians clubhouse, where manager Terry Francona held a closed-door meeting with his players, took a far different tone.
Cleveland (45-52) has fallen into last place in the AL Central, losing six straight at home and is 19-30 at Progressive Field.
Asked what was talked about in the meeting, second baseman Jason Kipnis said, "No fight, giving up early. Nobody’s held accountable and it’s just not the way we’re going to do business here."
Rodon and Sanchez, both rookies, helped the White Sox finish their first four-game sweep in Cleveland since July 14-17, 2005.
Rodon (4-3) recorded the longest outing of his career and won for the first time since June 20. The left-hander allowed five hits in 6 2-3 innings, struck out nine and didn’t walk a batter.
Sanchez, who hit his first major league home run in Saturday’s 10-3 win, led off the third with a homer to centre and had three hits.
Melky Cabrera had a run-scoring single in the seventh to make it 2-0. He was 9 for 17 with eight RBIs in the series.
David Robertson worked out of trouble in the ninth for his 21st save. Giovanny Urshela led off with a triple, but Carlos Santana struck out. Pinch-hitter David Murphy’s groundout scored Urshela and Brandon Moss flied out to end the game.
Danny Salazar (8-6) allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings for the Indians.
The White Sox came into the series with six losses in seven games, but moved out of last place in the division.
Shortstop Alexei Ramirez took a hit away from Kipnis in the sixth with a leaping backhand grab while tumbling to the ground.
Rodon came into the game in his worst stretch of the season. The left-hander was 1-3 with a 6.98 ERA in his last six starts, allowing 23 earned runs in 29 2-3 innings.
"He’s like every other pitcher," Ventura said. "He can get himself into trouble, but what he has that most people don’t is he can get himself out of trouble"
Said Rodon: "The defence was good, Carlos hit another home run, it was a good game."
Chicago’s starting pitchers have gone five straight games without walking a batter.
The Indians were swept in a four-game series at home for the first time since Aug. 5-8, 2013, against Detroit.
WHY NOT US?
The White Sox (46-50) have a lot of work in front of them if they want to get into the playoff chase, but they left town on a positive note.
"Just the way we played, pitching and defence and to swing it the way we have," Ventura said. "There’s a nice little roll going on. You want to keep it going."
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: OF Adam Eaton was out of the lineup after injuring his left shoulder diving for a flyball Saturday night. Ventura expects him to return Monday in Boston. J.B. Shuck started in centre and batted leadoff Sunday.
Indians: OF Nick Swisher (sore left knee) will continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Akron for two more games and be evaluated again Tuesday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: LHP John Danks will open a four-game series at Fenway Park on Monday. He’s 4-6 with a 4.95 ERA in 11 career starts against Boston.
Indians: RHP Cody Anderson will pitch the opener of a three-game series against Kansas City at Progressive Field on Monday. He’ll be making his sixth career start.
