Todd Frazier hit his American League leading 14th homer, Brett Lawrie hit a tiebreaking three-run shot and Austin Jackson was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and run scored as the White Sox held on for a 7-6 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a doubleheader Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Sox (27-18), who are in first place in the AL Central, opened a four-game series against the second-place Indians by winning for the second straight time. Right-hander Mat Latos (6-1) contributed a quality start, allowing three runs over six innings and leaving with a 6-3 lead.
The Sox opened a 7-3 lead in the seventh when Jackson walked with the bases loaded against Austin Adams, but the Indians (22-20) chipped away against the Sox bullpen with three runs in the eighth against Zach Duke and Matt Albers to make it 7-6. On a 10-pitch at-bat with two outs, Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer against Albers.
David Robertson (12th save) walked Rajai Davis leading off the ninth, then struck out Marlon Byrd and Michael Martinez before getting Carlos Sanchez on a game-ending groundout. Davis stole second and was in scoring position with one out.
Lawrie, the designated hitter, walked three times (one intentional) and singled and scored to reach base in all five plate appearances. Jackson also reached base all four times up.
Brett Lawrie launches a three-run home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, also scoring Todd Frazier and Melky Cabrera, during the fifth inning. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Latos (4.06 ERA) was touched for home runs by Marlon Byrd and Mike Napoli. He struck out four and walked one.
The Sox had scored six runs with two outs but left 12 runners on base and were 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Mike Clevinger took the loss for Cleveland.
Carlos Sanchez was optioned to AAA Charlotte after the game and right-hander Erik Johnson, who will start Game 2 of the doubleheader, was recalled from Charlotte.
