Chicago Silences Hot Indian Bats

After coming out of nowhere to score 18 runs in a 3-game sweep of Baltimore, the resurgent Indians failed to put up a fight against the White Sox in the opener of Cleveland’s final home series. In what has been a tight series this year, the White Sox have kept slim hopes alove for finishing at .500.

John Danks (13-10) was simply electric against the Tribe, as he allowed only three hits in his complete game win. Danks struck out seven and walked only one as Chicago improved to 76-81.

As the offense struggled, Aaron Laffey (7-8) still kept the Indians in position to win a rare, fourth straight ballgame. Laffey pitched into the eighth inning and allowed only three runs over eight hits. Laffey has continued to impress over the second half of the season for a team desperate for pitching bright spots going into the 2010 season.

Gordon Beckham proved to be the de facto offensive player of the game for Chicago, with three RBIs. The decisive blow came in the form of  2-run double in the 9th off of Jensen Lewis, effectively putting the game out of reach. Beckham also drove in Tyler Flowers with a 2nd-inning infield single. This made the score 3-0 White Sox after Chicago plated two via a Brent Lillibridge infield single and Dwayne Wise’s hit by pitch.

Shin-Soo Choo’s 19th home run of the season, coming in 7th inning, was all the Indians could muster against Danks, but still kept Cleveland close enough for optimistic fans to hope. But Danks’ gem was not to be ruined on this night.

A Kansas City loss against New York tonight would keep the Indians out of the AL Central basement…for those still keeping track. The red-hot Yankees still look like the American League favorite come playoff time.