Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor continued to build his case for the American League Rookie of the Year Award on Wednesday night, flirting with a cycle and sparking the Indians to a 6-4 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Lindor belted his eighth home run of the season in the fifth following a triple in the first and a single in the seventh, and scored two runs to help ignite Cleveland’s lineup against Chicago right-hander Jeff Samardzija. Lindor debuted six days after Astros rookie shortstop Carlos Correa, and both are leading candidates for year-end honors.
“I’m glad people are talking about him,” Indians manager Terry Francona said of Lindor. “It gives us a chance to brag about him a little bit. He’s playing very good baseball. He wasn’t here at the beginning of the season, but from the All-Star break on, he’s been as good as anybody.”
Samardzija (9-12) took the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, ending with five strikeouts and two walks. The White Sox belted a trio of solo home runs (Trayce Thompson, Tyler Saladino and Jose Abreu), and Thompson added an RBI single in the ninth, but it was not enough.
“If you’re going to miss location, it’s hard to keep it in the yard,” said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “That’s been tough for him in the last couple [of games], being able to keep that in the yard and limit things.”
Josh Tomlin (5-1) earned the win after giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Tribe, which finished its road trip with a 5-4 record. Jose Ramirez launched his second homer in as many nights, and Jason Kipnis chipped in an RBI double.
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