Guardians 6 - 4 White Sox
Final
  for this game

Lindor, Ramirez power Indians over White Sox, 6-4

Sep 10, 2015 - 4:46 AM CHICAGO (AP) Francisco Lindor says he doesn't try to hit home runs. They just come naturally.

''I've always been the type of hitter that if I hit it, it's gonna go; I'm not weak,'' he said. ''But I'm not going to go out there trying to hit home runs because that's not my game.''

The talented rookie's all-around game was on display Wednesday night.

Lindor had three hits, including a homer, Jose Ramirez also homered and the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4.

Lindor, who also tripled and scored two runs, finished a double shy of the cycle. Since being promoted to the majors in mid-June, the 21-year-old is batting .309 with eight homers and 34 RBIs in 76 games.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona has taken notice of the power.

''I've tried not to really think about it too much, just because that's the last thing we want him to do is get long (with his swing), but he's taken so many good swings,'' Francona said. ''After he hit the home run, he hit the line drive (single) to left field, which I think is really encouraging.''

Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin (5-1) allowed three runs on five hits in 5 2-3 innings to win his fifth straight.

Cody Allen allowed a run in the ninth inning but got the final three outs to record his 30th save.

The Indians took two of three in the series and have won four of the last five series.

Trayce Thompson, Tyler Saladino and Jose Abreu each had a solo homer for the White Sox.

Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija (9-12) allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 2-3 innings. Samardzija has lost seven of eight overall and six straight at U.S. Cellular Field.

''There's always high expectations, especially from myself,'' Samardzija said. ''You don't want to let your buddies down, you want to go out there and perform and win a game on your own if you have to.''

The Indians grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Lindor tripled with one out and scored on a groundout by Michael Brantley.

Chicago tied it in the second on Thompson's homer, but Samardzija allowed Cleveland to take a 2-1 in the third inning on back-to-back doubles by Roberto Perez and Jason Kipnis. The lead grew to 4-1 in the fifth on homers by Ramirez and Lindor.

In the sixth, the White Sox pulled within 4-3 on back-to-back homers by Saladino and Abreu. It was the third time this season and second in less than a week that Chicago has hit back-to-back. Adam Eaton and Abreu did it last Friday at Kansas City.

The Indians restored the three-run margin in the eighth inning on a pair of unearned runs. With runners on first and second and one out, Chris Johnson singled to right field. Lonnie Chisenhall, who was on second, was going to stop at third, but Thompson whiffed on the ball and it rolled far enough past him to allow Chisenhall and Abraham Almonte to score.

Thompson drove in Avisail Garcia with a single in the ninth to close the scoring.

ROOKIE RACE

Lindor and 20-year-old Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros are two favorites to win the Rookie of the Year award in the American League. Both hail from Puerto Rico and grew up not far from each other.

''It's an honor to be mentioned in the race for Rookie of the Year,'' Lindor said. ''Having him in that race as well, it means a lot with us both being from Puerto Rico.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (strained right hamstring) is about ready to begin throwing again from the mound. ''He is chomping at the bit and we'll obviously get a look at him (Thursday),'' Francona said.

White Sox: DH/1B Adam LaRoche (patella tendinitis in his right knee) sat out a third straight game.

UP NEXT

Indians: They return home to begin a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. RHP Danny Salazar (12-8, 3.54 ERA) goes in the opener against Detroit RHP Alfredo Simon (12-9, 4.86).

White Sox: Following a day off on Thursday, the homestand continues with a three-game weekend set against the Minnesota Twins. RHP Erik Johnson (1-0, 4.50 ERA) pitches the opener on Friday vs. Twins RHP Ervin Santana (4-4, 4.93).






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