CLEVELAND (AP) - Carlos Carrasco got the Cleveland Indians to the sixth inning, and Andrew Miller and company took over from there.
Miller, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined for 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief, helping the Indians top the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Sunday.
“We have an unbelievable bullpen,” Carrasco said. “It was amazing.”
Carrasco (6-3) was pulled after Todd Frazier’s two-run double cut Cleveland’s lead to one. The right-hander allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked one in 5 1/3 innings.
Miller retired all five batters he faced, striking out three. Shaw pitched a scoreless eighth and Allen finished for his 15th save, working around a one-out single.
The White Sox knew what they were getting into when the Indians went to their late-inning relievers.
“They’re very good,” Frazier said. “That’s why they made it to the World Series last year. That’s what they do best, all three of those guys.”
Carrasco struck out Melky Cabrera to begin the sixth but then hit Jose Abreu on the left elbow. The big first baseman, who was hit on the left knee by Miller on Friday, crouched over at the plate and slowly walked to first.
Avisail Garcia’s double put runners at second and third before Frazier’s double made it 3-2. Miller struck out Yolmer Sanchez and Tim Anderson and retired the side in order in the seventh.
“As soon as I saw Miller, I said, ’This inning is over.’ I just left the man on second base right there,” Carrasco said.
Cleveland is off Monday, making 11 outs for its bullpen no big deal.
“That was one of those where we were able to win today, we can’t do that - after this off day, we have 23 (games) in 21 days,” manager Terry Francona said. “Today we could, knowing there was an off day.”
Francisco Lindor, Roberto Perez and Erik Gonzalez each drove in a run for Cleveland.
The White Sox have dropped nine of 11. Jose Quintana (2-8) allowed three runs in five innings, dropping to 0-4 in his last seven starts.
Lindor, who was in a 6-for-44 slump, tacked on an RBI double in the seventh.
The Indians thought they had a run in the sixth, but third base umpire Bruce Dreckman ruled Edwin Encarnacion’s towering fly ball down the line was foul. Encarnacion, who started his home run trot, immediately signaled the ball was fair and Francona came on the field.
A crew chief review ensued as Encarnacion impatiently stood at home plate and leaned on his bat. The call stood, drawing boos from the crowd. Encarnacion worked the count to 3-2 and fired his bat to the ground after hitting a tapper to pitcher Chris Beck.
Encarnacion’s drive cleared the porch and landed on a walkway adjacent to the scoreboard in left field.
BAD LUCK
Chicago center fielder Leury Garcia exited after jamming his left middle finger twice on the bases. He was initially hurt leading off the game on a headfirst slide into first, and then was kicked on the hand by Lindor on an attempted steal in the fifth.
“We’re hoping it’s not a long-term thing,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He’s day to day for now.”
GOOD GAME, KID
Gonzalez started at second base, giving Jason Kipnis a day off. The rookie went 2 for 3 with his first career RBI, and also made an outstanding play to start the game.
Leury Garcia hit a hard grounder that glanced off Carrasco’s glove. Gonzalez made a backhand stab of the ball and made an off-balance throw to first for the out.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: RHP James Shields (strained right lat) has made two rehab starts for Triple-A Charlotte. He has been on the disabled list since April 21.
Indians: OF Abraham Almonte (strained right shoulder) had two hits for Triple-A Columbus on a rehab assignment Saturday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Mike Pelfrey will go in the opener of a four-game series against Baltimore on Monday.
Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer opens a three-game series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
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