CLEVELAND (AP) — Scoring two runs in three games is a good formula for ending up on the wrong end of a sweep.
That’s the way Chicago’s weekend went, including a 2-0 loss Sunday to the Cleveland Indians. The White Sox, who have lost 14 of 18, were held to one run Friday and scored only once again Saturday.
“Their pitching, even all three nights, was great,” manager Robin Ventura said.
Chicago rookie Scott Carroll (5-10) gave up just one run in seven-plus innings, but his strong effort was wasted. Carroll has a 0.43 ERA (one earned run in 21 innings) against Cleveland in four appearances.
“Scotty threw a great game,” Ventura said. “He’s pitched well here. He’s had some sink to it. He has a little feel for it here on this mound. I don’t know how you explain it, but you can see that he’s got some movement when he’s here and keeps the ball on the ground for the most part.”
Carroll gave up two hits, a walk and a run in the first. But he scattered just four hits after that before leaving in the eighth following a leadoff single by Roberto Perez.
“I worked on some things in the bullpen this week and just made some adjustments to my mechanics,” Carroll said. “I think it came together today for me. Just as far as being able to command both of my breaking balls today was big, and with the sinker. So if I’m able to do that, I feel like I can get good results.”
Michael Brantley’s RBI single in the first put Cleveland ahead. Carlos Santana added a run-scoring groundout in the eighth off Matt Lindstrom.
Carlos Carrasco (7-4) allowed four hits, struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter in 8 2-3 innings, extending his remarkable turnaround since rejoining the Indians’ rotation last month.
“Today that kid was great,” Ventura said. “He had great stuff. He had a lot of life on his fastball. He’s throwing up there at 97-98 (mph) and his breaking stuff was great. You could see by some of the swings the movement that he had. He was fantastic.”
Adrian Nieto led off the ninth with a single before Adam Eaton hit into a forceout. Carrasco struck out Carlos Sanchez, but rookie slugger Jose Abreu’s single to left ended the day for Carrasco, who was given a standing ovation by the crowd of 17,597 as he walked to the dugout.
Cody Allen retired Conor Gillaspie on a line drive to center for his 19th save.
Carrasco is 4-0 and has allowed three earned runs in 38 2-3 innings over six starts since Aug. 10.
Eaton, who came in leading the AL in batting average since the All-Star break, was 1 for 13 in the series.
SALE PUSHED BACK
White Sox LHP Chris Sale, who owns the lowest ERA in the AL (2.09), will have his next start pushed back to Thursday to give him an extra day of rest. RHP Chris Bassitt is expected to start Wednesday against Oakland.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: OF Avisail Garcia got a day off. Abreu, who has been dealing with general soreness, was the DH again. Ventura said he expects Abreu to return to first base sometime this week.
Indians: INF-OF Mike Aviles (concussion) is increasing his activities, but there’s no timetable for his return. He was injured attempting to make a diving catch in right field Monday.
WRAPPING IT UP
Indians manager Terry Francona had plenty of praise for White Sox 1B Paul Konerko, who plans to retire after the season and is nursing a broken left hand.
“Being an everyday position player is so hard,” Francona said. “To do it year after year after year, that’s quite an accomplishment. He’s been so consistent. He made himself a good hitter.”
UP NEXT
RHP Hector Noesi (8-9) faces Oakland in the opener of a four-game series Monday. He’s 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA in his last six starts. RHP Sonny Gray (13-8) starts for the A’s.
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