Major League Baseball

Indians slip past White Sox 4-3

Published May. 21, 2015 12:14 a.m. ET

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CHICAGO (AP) Cleveland manager Terry Francona was happy with the win.

He was especially pleased with how the Indians earned the victory.

Shaun Marcum won his first start in almost two years, Michael Brantley had a two-run double in the seventh inning, and Cleveland beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Recalled earlier Wednesday from Triple-A Columbus, Marcum went 6 2-3 innings and gave up solo home runs to Adam Eaton and Conor Gillaspie but struck out six for the Indians, who have won four of six.

Marcum (1-0) hadn't started a game in the major leagues since July 6, 2013, for the New York Mets. He was later diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which involves nerves near the neck and caused tingling and numbness in Marcum's right hand, eventually leading to shoulder surgery.

The win was his first since June 26, 2013, against Chicago and was the culmination of the recovery for Marcum, who had made one appearance in relief this season, throwing five innings and allowing one run against Detroit on April 12.

''We're excited to win, but hard not to be pulling for a guy that has gone through what he has,'' Francona said.

Getting that win, and not what he's gone through, was on Marcum's mind.

''Maybe after the season I'll sit back and reflect on it, but right now we've got to keep grinding away and trying to get better each and every day,'' Marcum said.

Jose Ramirez had two hits and two runs and reached base four times in a game that began after a 31-minute rain delay.

Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Cody Allen. Gillaspie, whose home run in the seventh pulled Chicago within 4-2, fouled out to third before Alexei Ramirez's infield single cut Cleveland's lead to 4-3.

J.B. Shuck, pinch-hitting for Tyler Flowers, struck out to end the game and Allen picked up his eighth save in nine attempts.

''The guys fought back there in the ninth, but really I think on our pitching side you're just giving them too many opportunities,'' Chicago manager Robin Ventura said.

Cleveland gave Marcum the lead in the seventh with three runs against reliever Dan Jennings (0-1). Ramirez's one-out single through a drawn-in infield put the Indians ahead 2-1, and then Brantley's double gave Cleveland a 4-1 lead.

Chicago lost its second straight after a six-game winning streak, but got a strong outing from rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon. The White Sox's top prospect entering the season, Rodon pitched six innings and gave up one run and four hits and struck out four and walked five.

Making the third start of his career, Rodon's control problems continued as he's walked 15 in 16 innings as a starter.

''Just got to fill the zone,'' Rodon said.

Marcum didn't have such problems, especially after working through some added emotions early.

''He said he got a little jumpy in the first inning,'' Indians catcher Brett Hayes said. ''He's a professional. He got right back up there and he did his job. He did a great job.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: 1B Carlos Santana (back spasms) was held out of the lineup for the fourth straight game despite feeling as if he might be well enough to return. ... LHP T.J. House (left shoulder) threw five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus, and C Yan Gomes (right knee) went 1 for 2 with a walk in the same game.

White Sox: RHP Nate Jones (right elbow) and RHP Matt Albers (right pinky finger) remained on the disabled list.

UP NEXT

Indians RHP Danny Salazar (4-1, 4.06) faces Chicago LHP John Danks (2-3, 4.66). Danks has struggled against Cleveland, going 5-12 with a 5.16 ERA.

KEEP IT GOING

Jose Abreu went 1 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. He is hitting .352 over that span.

TRANSACTION

To make room for Marcum, Cleveland optioned INF Zach Walters to Triple-A Columbus. Walters is hitting .059 in seven games.

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