White Sox snap skid, Peavy fans 11 Indians

Bourn homers, then injured in loss

The Indians’ Ryan Raburn avoids the White Sox's Jeff Keppinger after a throw to first to complete a double play on Alex Rios.

CLEVELAND — Sunday began on a high note for Michael Bourn and the Cleveland Indians.

The day ended with a 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox that could affect the team beyond one game.

Bourn, who homered on White Sox starter Jake Peavy's first pitch to account for Cleveland's only run, could miss several games after receiving five stitches to close a laceration on his right index finger.

Bourn was injured in the eighth inning when his hand was stepped on by pitcher Matt Thornton while making a headfirst slide into first base. He had hit a slow grounder that was fielded by first baseman Adam Dunn, who tossed to Thornton.

He was safe, but remained on one knee for a few moments and was examined by manager Terry Francona and a trainer before being removed.

The outfielder, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Indians in February, said he will not be able to play until the stitches are removed.

"We'll wait for it to heal," he said. "No ligaments were messed up. No joints were messed up. I knew something was wrong. I felt pain when I got up. I'll probably be in a little pain for the next day or two, but other than that I should be fine."

Bourn said he had a similar injury earlier in his career, which also occurred when he dove headfirst trying to beat out a ground ball.

"I was just trying to get to the bag before he did," Bourn said.

Bourn, who went 3-for-4 on Sunday, is batting .333 in 10 games.

His home run was a line drive that landed in Chicago's bullpen, but it might have served to fire up Peavy, who struck out 11 in seven innings and retired 12 straight at one point.

"I got him going after I hit the bomb," Bourn said. "He was tough on us."

Francona gave full credit to Peavy, who improved to 4-0 in five career starts against Cleveland.

"Bournie kind of ambushed him the first pitch of the game, but after that we didn't have many opportunities to score until late," Francona said.

"He's just a really good veteran pitcher."

Indians starter Brett Myers turned in his best outing of the young season.

The right-hander took a four-hit shutout into the sixth, but Paul Konerko's two-run homer gave Chicago the lead for good as the White Sox broke a five-game losing streak and won for the first time on the road this season.