Abreu's clutch AB lifts Sox: 'I'll never forget it'

CLEVELAND -- José Abreu delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly on the eighth pitch of an eighth-inning at-bat against James Karinchak, as the White Sox claimed an 8-6 victory over Cleveland in Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader.

It was the fifth straight White Sox victory and raised their lead in the American League Central to 4 1/2 games over Cleveland ahead of the nightcap at Progressive Field (which would drop back to 3 1/2 games after splitting the DH). Billy Hamilton scored the go-ahead run, starting the extra inning at second and swiping third with one out, but it was Abreu who worked the count full, fouled off a Karinchak four-seamer and connected on the next offering for his Major League-leading 46th RBI.

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“That at-bat by Abreu, it would be tied for first for one of the greatest I’ve seen against a pitcher of that caliber in that kind of situation,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “I’ll never forget it and our fans will never forget it.

“You drive in runs, it’s one thing. It’s really a skill. But you come in and produce in a situation like that, that goes to the next level. The toughness and concentration and the ability to put it into play someplace. There are really good RBI guys, and there are great RBI guys. Abreu is great.”

Adam Eaton, who had missed the past three games with right hamstring tightness, added a two-run home run in the eighth.

“There are so many special guys on this team,” La Russa said. “We just have to keep doing it so the fans will enjoy it.”

White Sox starter Carlos Rodón entered Monday’s doubleheader opener with a 1.29 ERA, three home runs and seven earned runs allowed in 48 2/3 innings this season. He matched that home run total through three innings, with Cesar Hernandez hitting two, and allowed five runs over six innings.

Hernandez actually hit the first pitch from Rodón for a home run, followed three pitches later by an Amed Rosario blast. Cleveland scored the game-tying run off Rodón in the sixth on a Bradley Zimmer infield single, but Rodón stranded runners at second and third by striking out Hernandez with a 99.5 mph 3-2 fastball to give him eight strikeouts for the game. Rodón admitted he reached back for a little extra in that particular situation.

“It’s nice to know they have that confidence in us, for us to go face a guy four times, especially a guy that’s hit two home runs,” said a smiling Rodón. “Tony, if you’re hearing this, I really appreciate you letting me get that last out.

“I’m happy about the way we finished that game off. Grinded out a win. It wasn’t my best stuff. Big win today.”

The White Sox scored a go-ahead run in the sixth when Yoán Moncada singled with one out to end a club-record streak of eight straight strikeouts from right-hander Triston McKenzie. Moncada moved to third on a pair of Bryan Shaw wild pitches and scored on Yermín Mercedes’ fielder’s choice groundout. Abreu was running on the 3-2 pitch from Shaw, preventing a possible inning-ending double play.

Zack Collins doubled home two runs during a four-run White Sox second, but the South Siders also scored a third run on an Hernandez error. The fourth run in the frame came when Tim Anderson was caught breaking off first early but stayed in the rundown long enough for Collins to race home from third before the third out was recorded. The Indians never looked at Collins during the pursuit of Anderson.

“The whole game, that was a whole eight innings of character,” La Russa said. “You saw what McKenzie was capable of. Everybody that pitched and played showed character to match their talent.”