The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Indians rocked by White Sox
CHICAGO >> Tim Anderson hit a grand slam, Leury García drove in three runs from the No. 9 spot in the lineup and the White Sox beat the Indians, 7-3, on May 1.
Austin Hedges homered and Josh Naylor had two hits for the Indians, who have dropped eight of 13.
Triston McKenzie (01) issued four walks — including three in a row before the homer. He struck out six and gave up one hit in just two innings. He has allowed 18 walks and struck out 29 in 18 2/3 innings.
“I feel like this game honestly just highlighted my mistakes,” McKenzie said. “Out of my past couple outings, it’s mainly been walks. I feel like I’ve been walking a lot of guys, but I’ve been able to kind of just wiggle my way out of situations. I feel like today it kind of caught up to me.”
Six pitchers combined to issue eight walks for the Indians.
Lance Lynn allowed three runs over five innings in his return from the injured list for the White Sox, who have won seven of nine.
Lynn, sidelined since April 17 because of a right trapezius strain, allowed four hits and struck out a season-low two. He issued two walks, doubling his season total after four starts.
“Everything felt great,” Lynn said. “The next start, I don’t think it will be fullgo. I think it will be another two or three till it’s full-go, go out, whatever pitch count, there’s no pitch limit, there’s no anything, go do your thing.”
In his previous two outings, Lynn (2-1) became the first pitcher in White Sox history to strike out 10 or more and walk none in consecutive starts.
Anderson hit his second career slam off McKenzie for a 5-0 lead in the second inning after García drew a bases-loaded walk.
“He’s the same every stinking, wonderful day,” manager Tony La Russa said of Anderson. “He brings effort. He brings a commitment to the practices, to the competition.”
García added a two-run double off Phil Maton in the fourth to make it 7-2. García has eight RBIs in his last four games.
Hedges hit a solo shot off Lynn in the fifth.
First one
Nick Sandlin struck out one in a 1-2-3 sixth in his major league debut for the Indians.
“His stuff was really good,” manager Terry Francona said.
No problem
Cleveland rallied for two runs in the fourth. José Ramírez drew a walk and missed second base while advancing on Naylor’s double. Ramírez returned to touch the bag and moved to third. Yu Chang followed with a two-run single.
Transactions
The Indians placed slugger Franmil Reyes on the paternity list and recalled outfielder Daniel Johnson from their alternate site. Johnson had a strong camp with the Indians but didn’t make the opening day roster. In nine games in Arizona, Johnson batted .368 (7 of 19) with two homers, two doubles and four RBI. He brings speed and athleticism to Cleveland’s lineup.
“I know he wasn’t really pleased when we told him he wasn’t making the team, so this is his chance to kind of show what he can do,” Francona said.
Trainer’s room
INDIANS >> Second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who has a banged-up finger, got the day off.
WHITE SOX >> To make room for Lynn, OF Luis González was optioned to the alternate site. … La Russa said OF Adam Engel (strained right hamstring) is still working toward a return from the 10-day injured list. Engel, out since March 29, has been targeted for an early May return.
Up next
RHP Zach Plesac (13, 5.81 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale against White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (1-2, 5.68). Plesac has allowed 12 runs over 5 2/3 innings in two starts against Chicago. Giolito has given up 12 runs — 11 earned — in his last 7 2/3 innings.