The Chicago White Sox blew up in the first inning against Cleveland and never looked back in an eventual 10-4 victory. The White Sox improve to an even .500 record at 4-4 this season. The Indians now fall under .500 and sit at the 4-5 mark. Cleveland's starter, Josh Tomlin, was roughed up badly. He gave up seven earned runs on eight hits, recorded no strikeouts, and only could record five outs before mercifully being taken out of the contest. He simply didn't have anything in his 42 pitches he threw on Thursday Afternoon.
White Sox start rolling early
Things immediately started with Tim Anderson launching his first home run of the season on the very first pitch of the game. After Melky Cabrera had picked up a single, it looked like things would be more natural with two consecutive outs. Instead, Avisail Garcia ends up being the second baserunner and Matt Davidson followed it up with a two-run bomb on the first pitch he faced in the game. The score was now 4-0.
After Yolmer Sanchez had picked up a double, Tomlin needed a breather with the coach. It didn't help. Three pitches later, Omar Narvaez was able to bring in Sanchez to make it 5-0. Cleveland looked like they were going to be in business in the bottom of the frame as they had enough patience to walk two batters.
The bases were juiced with one out, and Jose Ramirez was able to sling it out deep in the ballpark to bring home the sacrifice fly, Francisco Lindor. However, that was all the damage they were able to put up.
Chicago kept things going in the second inning. With two in scoring position with two out, Garcia was able to smack a single to bring home two RBIs.
That made the score 7-1, and the Indians' starting pitcher was finally pulled from the contest.
Indians attempt comeback
Cleveland finally got some momentum in the fifth inning. After putting the White Sox down in order at the top of it, Michael Brantley was able to drill a solo shot out of the right center field, his first home run of the season.
With two outs and nobody on base, Lonnie Chisenhall punched a double out to right field to bring in Ramirez to make it 7-3.
The game was finally manageable for the Indians, but it ultimately wouldn't last. Two White Sox got on base in just three pitches to start the eighth inning, and Cleveland went back to the bullpen and put in Dan Otero. He was able to get two force outs at third, but then he allowed three consecutive singles. That allowed Chicago to pad their lead with three more runs, and it was simply out of reach for good at that point for the Indians. Yan Gomes smacked his first home run of the season in the bottom of the frame, but that was all they could muster in the second comeback attempt.