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Indians top White Sox to reach .500 mark

Jul 12, 2014 - 6:22 AM Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Nick Swisher's two-run homer punctuated a three-run fifth inning and sent Cleveland to a 7-4 decision over Chicago in the opener of a three-game set.

Lonnie Chisenhall added a game-tying single in the deciding frame for the Indians, who have won seven of their last 10 and reached the .500 mark at 46-46.

David Murphy added a two-run shot, while Carlos Santana and Chris Dickerson each drove in a run for the Tribe.

Corey Kluber (9-6) allowed four runs on eight hits through six innings, but hung on long enough to snag the win. John Axford, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined to throw three perfect innings, with Allen earning his 11th save by striking out the side in the ninth.

Adam Dunn hit a solo homer, while Adrian Nieto and Leury Garcia added an RBI apiece for the White Sox, losers of three straight after winning three in a row.

Hector Noesi (3-7) was touched for seven hits and six runs with four walks over 4 2/3 frames.

"I tried to do too much tonight," Noesi said. "I left my fastball up."

Dunn's homer to kick off the fifth put Chicago back in front, but Cleveland moved ahead thanks to a replay reversal in the home half.

Asdrubal Cabrera reached on a bunt single, then was called out trying to steal second after Santana fanned swinging. The former's protests were proven correct as replay determined ChiSox shortstop Alexei Ramirez did not tag Cabrera's foot, and Chisenhall's single plated him in the next at-bat to tie the game at 4-4.

Swisher was the final batter Noesi faced, hastening his exit thanks to a blast to center which made it 6-4.

"I felt like I should take some powder and throw it up in the air," said Swisher, referencing the pregame ritual of a certain two-time NBA champion who began his career in Cleveland and agreed to return there after a four-year absence.

Michael Brantley began the seventh with a single and Santana plated him with a double to give the hosts a three-run edge.

Axford, Shaw and Allen set down nine in a row to finish off the contest, six by strikeout.

Both clubs hit the scoreboard in the second. Chicago picked up two in the top half on a Nieto double and RBI groundout from Garcia, while Cleveland countered in the home half on Murphy's shot to right center with Swisher aboard.

The Sox led 3-2 in the fourth, when Garcia reached on a fielder's choice grounder and scored when Adam Eaton followed with a double. The Tribe countered in the bottom of the frame when Dickerson's bases-loaded walk forced in Santana.

Game Notes

Kluber upped his record to 5-2 with a 3.01 ERA in 10 home starts ... Despite the loss, Chicago holds a 7-4 series lead over Cleveland this season, and had won four in a row over the Indians prior to Friday ... Before the contest, the ChiSox signed pitcher Carlos Rodon, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, to a minor league contract that includes a $6.582 million signing bonus ... The Indians recalled pitcher Austin Adams from Columbus (IL) and optioned pitcher T.J. House to Columbus.