(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL -- In the top of the sixth inning, Carlos Santana slammed his 11th home run of the season on line drive to right center field. Santana leads the tribe in both homer runs (11) and RBI's (37). In a 2-1 game, Leonys Martin jumped on a hanging curveball, blasting a no-doubt 2-run homer to give the Indians a comfortable 3-run lead in the seventh inning. The tribe bullpen shut down the White Sox, allowing 1 earned run, as the Indians bounce back with a 5-2 win.
Jefry Rodriguez was pulled after the fourth inning due to lat tightness. The young right hander threw 4.0 innings giving up 2 runs, one earned, on 2 hits and striking out 3. Oliver Perez came in for the injured Rodriguez in the fifth inning, providing 1 2/3 innings of relief, giving up zero runs. The lone run given up by the Indians bullpen came on a sacrifice fly given up by Adam Cimber.
Oliver Perez (1-0) earned his first win of the season Brad Hand continued his dominance, earning his 16th save on the year. Despite an excellent start, White Sox right hander Ivan Nova (3-5) was hit with the loss.
The Cleveland Indians will look to even up the four-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. Indians' youngster Zach Plesac will face off against his favorite childhood team, and will be matched up against Chicago's best starter this season, Lucas Giolito. First pitch is set for 2:10 PM ET on the South Side of Chicago at Guaranteed Rate Field.