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White Sox hope to end slide against Tribe

May 3, 2014 - 2:49 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - With 29-year-old rookie Scott Carroll on the hill, the Chicago White Sox will try to snap a three-game losing streak as they square off with the Cleveland Indians in the second chapter of a three-game set at Progressive Field.

Carroll will hope for better results than teammate Jon Danks, who was tattooed for eight runs on 10 hits over five frames in Friday's series opener. Michael Brantley went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI and Carlos Santana also homered as Cleveland coasted to a 12-5 win.

The Indians' offensive outburst seemingly came out of nowhere. They scored just 13 runs during a winless six-game road trip and were forced to place star second baseman Jason Kipnis on the 15-day disabled list just hours prior to Friday's first pitch.

Cleveland used a group effort to ignite a flame. Santana, Ryan Raburn and Yan Gomes each drove in two runs, while the Indians' bullpen held the White Sox to three hits over the last four innings. Elliot Johnson started in place of the injured Kipnis and finished 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. Johnson was the only starting position player for the Tribe to not register a hit.

After 138 prior Minor League appearances, Carroll made his MLB debut on Sunday against Tampa Bay. The right-hander improved to 1-0 on his career after holding the Rays to one earned run on six hits over 7 1/3 innings of work.

"I knew I was capable of it, but it's just awesome to finally get the opportunity and showcase my skills here at this level," said Carroll after his milestone appearance. "It's incredible. I put in all the hard work and just effort and stuff and to get to this level and succeed like I did, it was unbelievable. I've seen it so many times on TV and on movies and stuff, but to actually experience it and have that feeling myself, it was incredible.

Chicago has a more established rookie pacing its offense in Jose Abreu, who posted his 11th home run of the season on Friday to establish a new team record for most homers through a player's first 30 career games. Abreu stands a solid chance to be named both American League Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month for April after setting MLB-rookie records with 10 homers and 32 RBI before May.

The White Sox have also received exceptional play from Alexei Ramirez, who is hitting a team-best .356, including four home runs and 19 RBI. Dayan Viciedo is batting .337 and has reached base safely in 20 consecutive games.

Chicago compiled 10 hits and three walks in Friday's loss, but went just 2- for-13 with runners in scoring position. The White Sox will try to get off to a good start on Saturday against Cleveland's ace, Justin Masterson. The 29- year old righty will be searching for his first win of 2014 as he takes the mound for the Indians.

After allowing only two earned runs in consecutive starts, Masterson surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings against the Angels on Monday. The 29-year old, who was instrumental in Cleveland's run toward a wild card berth in 2013, tallied 113 pitches in the losing decision.

"I thought [Masterson] was pretty good," Francona said. "To let him face who he faced in that situation, I thought he still had something left. I thought he deserved to be out there. I thought he was still executing pitches."

Masterson posted a 4-0 record and allowed just three earned runs over 32 2/3 innings for an 0.83 ERA against the White Sox in 2013.