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CLEVELAND – Eli Morgan allowed a six-innings hit and Jose Ramirez produced three runs, propelling the Cleveland Indians to a 6-0 victory over AL Central champion Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
Chicago remained four games behind AL West leaders Houston in the Division Series home court advantage race. Both teams have seven games to play.
Morgan (4-7) struck out six strikes and walked one, giving Yoan Moncada just a brace in the fifth. The rookie right-hander limited the Yankees to one run in six innings by winning his previous start against ace Gerrit Cole.
“My fast pitch order was the key”, Morgan said. “If I can come in and establish it early, it makes the change more effective. I was aware that I hadn’t allowed a hit through four and (one without a hit) would have been cool to do, but I wasn’t too worried about that.
Ramirez hit a two-run homerun and managed an RBI single against Lance Lynn (10-6), whose winless streak reached nine starts. The All-Star allowed six runs in six innings, striking out six without a walk, and hasn’t won since July 25.
Lynn was examined by a coach after completing her warm-up shots in the fifth, but stayed in the game and allowed four straight hits and three runs in the sixth. The right-hander made his third start since returning from a pain in his right knee.
“I had a weird back feeling for a second, but it’s okay” Lynn said. “We are all looking forward to getting everyone ready for October.”
Andres Gimenez had a solo homerun and Ramirez, Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley had straight RBIs in the sixth. Ramirez’s first inning homerun was his 36th and he stole his 26th goal, approaching the fourth season 30-30 in Indian history.
“Jose is the best third baseman in the AL, probably in the whole league,” Morgan said. “Seeing how much fun he has with the game and the way he acts in the canoe, it’s fun and it’s really cool to watch.”
Sam Hentges and Bryan Shaw followed Morgan, concluding the three batters for Cleveland’s eighth shutout.
The Indians need five wins in their last eight games to finish with a winning record for the ninth consecutive year.
“Morgan has a great change and there is a lot of movement to be deceitful,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said.
Myles Straw scored, doubled and scored twice for Cleveland, while Eloy Jimenez and Jose Abreu had the other two hits for the White Sox.
Luis Robert of Chicago went 0 for 4, ending his long career batting streak of 13 games.
ROTATION SITUATION
RHP White Sox Dylan Cease (right triceps bruise) and LHP Carlos Rodon (left arm discomfort) – the team’s two most successful pitchers – will have their terms updated on Sunday.
Cease was hit on his pitcher’s arm Friday by a one-hit hopper from Bradley Zimmer of Cleveland. Rodon left his start Monday in Detroit after 69 shots.
“Sunday is an important day for them, so we hope it goes well”, La Russa said. “But we’ll see.”
TRAINERS ‘ROOM
White Sox: DE Brian Goodwin (stiff back) and Adam Engel (leg pain) each missed their second straight game and continue to receive treatment. The two reported discomfort on Thursday after playing in the nightcap of a split doubles program in Cleveland.
Indians: Manager Terry Francona (hip and toe surgery), who has been on sick leave since July 29, attended Friday’s game. Acting manager DeMarlo Hale said the two-time World Series champion “Stay in touch and involved. He saw all the throws.
FOLLOWING
White Sox: RHP Lucas Giolito (10-9, 3.70 ERA) begins the five-game series final. Giolito hasn’t lost since August 15, going 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA in his last five outings.
Indians: RHP Triston McKenzie (5-7, 4.67 ERA) allowed a season high with seven runs and three homers in 4 1/3 innings in his last start against Kansas City.
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