Chisox clinch AL Central with win over Cleveland
CLEVELAND – The Chicago White Sox clinched their first AL Central title since 2008 with a 7-2 win over Cleveland in a doubleheader opener Thursday behind two home runs by Tim Anderson.
Chicago, a wild-card team last year, is going to the postseason in consecutive years for the first time. The White Sox are in their first season under Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who will turn 77 on Oct. 4. La Russa had retired after guiding St. Louis to the 2011 World Series title and was hired to replace Rick Renteria last October.
Chicago (86-66) moved into first place for good on May 7. The White Sox have not advanced in the postseason since winning the 2005 World Series and last hosted a playoff game 13 years ago.
Anderson hit his fifth leadoff home run of the season and added a three-run drive in the second for his sixth career multi-homer game. Luis Robert and Eloy Jiménez hit consecutive homers in the second for a 7-0 lead off Aaron Civale (11-5).
Aaron Bummer (4-5) retired all three batters in the fifth as four White Sox relievers combined for 32⁄3 scoreless innings in a game shortened to seven innings under pandemic rules.
Closer Liam Hendriks struck out Myles Straw to end the game, setting off a celebration in front of the visiting dugout that featured players saluting the several hundred White Sox fans at Progressive Field.
César Hernández, who began the season with Cleveland, went 3 for 3 to reach 1,000 hits. Anderson had three hits, while Robert reached base three times and drove in a pair.
Austin Hedges and Bobby Bradley homered for Cleveland, the latter chasing Reynaldo López, who allowed two runs and four hits.
Civale gave up seven runs in 12⁄3 innings, including a career-high four homers.
Bolstered by offseason moves that
added All-star pitchers Lance Lynn and Hendriks, Chicago has overcome significant injuries and is eyeing a deep run in October.
Jiménez ruptured his left pectoral tendon during spring training and didn’t make his season debut until July 26. Robert, another promising outfielder, injured his right hip in May and was out until Aug. 9. Catcher Yasmani Grandal hurt his left knee in July.
Classy Clase
Clevleand RHP Emmanuel Clase was suspended for the 2020 season after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug, but has been one of the better rookies in the AL this year. Clase has converted 24 of 28 save opportunities, including his last 13, and owns a 1.37 ERA in 67 appearances. “This year has been a big step up for Clase,” acting manager Demarlo Hale said. “The mindset he has grown into is very positive.”