Santana lifts Indians to 7th straight victory

8/1/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND — Carlos Santana’s leadoff home run in the 10th inning gave the Cleveland Indians their seventh straight win, a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Santana hit a 3-2 pitch from Dylan Axelrod (3-7) into the right field seats for Cleveland’s ninth walkoff win of the season.

The crowd of 22,258 roared when the ball reached the seats and Santana threw his helmet in the air as he reached home plate and was mobbed his teammates.

Chris Perez (4-1) hit Adam Dunn with a pitch with two outs in the 10th, but struck out Paul Konerko to end the inning as Chicago lost its sixth straight game.

Both teams scored two runs in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Jeff Keppinger’s two-run single with the bases loaded gave Chicago a 5-3 lead. Cleveland tied the game on sacrifice flies by Michael Bourn and Jason Kipnis.

The Indians have won 12 of 16, while the White Sox have lost 12 of 15. Chicago is 25 games under .500 for the first time since Sept. 11, 1989.

Keppinger, who was in a 3-for-31 slump, lined a 3-2 pitch from Cody Allen to right-center to break a 3-all tie in the ninth, but Chicago closer Addison Reed couldn't lock down his 27th save.

Corey Kluber pitched a career-high 8 2/​3 innings but was pulled after Conor Gillaspie’s two-out single in the ninth.

Michael Brantley started the Indians’ ninth with a double. After pinch-hitter Jason Giambi was hit by a pitch, Drew Stubbs laid down a bunt in front of the plate. Reed fielded the ball and fired to first but Stubbs beat the throw, which was in the dirt and had to be scooped by Dunn.

Bourn’s sacrifice fly made it 5-4, and both runners advanced a base. Nick Swisher was intentionally walked and Kipnis tied the game with another sacrifice fly. Asdrubal Cabrera struck out to end the inning.

Kluber allowed three runs, all coming in the sixth inning when the White Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit.