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White Sox, Indians open series with doubleheader

May 7, 2012 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - Right-hander Philip Humber makes his third start since tossing a perfect game in his lone victory of the season, when the Chicago White Sox visit Progressive Field in the opener of a doubleheader to kick off a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians.

Humber pitched his gem in an April 21 defeat of the Seattle Mariners that evened his record at 1-1 and pared his earned run average from 1.69 to 0.63.

He's started twice since and was rocked for nine runs in five innings of a 10-3 loss to Boston, then went six innings against the Indians while getting a no-decision in Chicago's 6-3 loss. Against Cleveland, Humber allowed three runs on four hits and struck out six.

In six career meetings with the Indians, he is 0-1 with a 6.20 ERA.

Starting the second game for Chicago is journeyman lefty Eric Stults, who makes his White Sox debut and opens a major-league game for the first time since 2009 with Los Angeles.

The Indiana native made six relief outings with Colorado last season and was signed as a free agent by Chicago on Dec. 1, 2011.

He has never faced the Indians.

Pitching the opener for Cleveland is second-year right-hander Zach McAllister, who made four starts last season and has not pitched in the major leagues in 2012.

The Illinois native was 0-1 in 2011 and allowed 16 runs on 26 hits in 17 2/3 innings while posting a 6.11 ERA in 17 2/3 innings.

He was 3-1 in six starts at Triple-A Columbus before heading back to the big leagues, pitching 35 innings and allowing 30 hits and 11 earned runs.

Righty Josh Tomlin starts game No. 2 for the Indians and faces the White Sox for the third time in six appearances this season.

Tomlin dropped a 4-2 verdict in his initial appearance of the season against Cleveland on April 9 in Cleveland, then got a no-decision against the Indians in Chicago on May 2 in the host's May 2 win.

In the two games, he gave up 12 hits and seven runs in 11 innings.

On Sunday in Detroit, Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson and Andy Dirks each smacked solo shots as the Tigers downed the White Sox 3-1 to finish up a three-game set at Comerica Park.

Adam Dunn's home run in the first accounted for all of Chicago's scoring and starter Dylan Axelrod (0-1) surrendered two runs on six hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss, Chicago's fourth in five games.

Dunn belted a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of Saturday's 3-2 victory and picked up where he left off Sunday, hitting a shot over the wall in right to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

"We played neck and neck all three games," Dunn said. "We just, obviously, didn't get the big hit to either tie it or put us up."

In Cleveland, Ubaldo Jimenez threw seven shutout innings, giving up just two hits, and the Indians held on for a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in the finale of a three-game series.

Cleveland handed Texas rookie Yu Darvish his first major-league loss.

The Indians won two of three in the set after Jimenez (3-2) struck out six in his outing, helping them take a 4-0 lead despite issuing five walks.

Jason Kipnis hit a solo homer and Asdrubal Cabrera knocked in two runs for Cleveland, which has won four of five.

"It's very encouraging," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "Our pitching deserves a lot of credit for keeping those guys down."

Today's twinbill was made necessary due to an April 10 postponement. The White sox won the other two games of that series in Cleveland, but lost two of three at home to the Indians to begin this month.