July 27--Carlos Rodon didn't benefit from the offensive surge that other White Sox starters did against the Indians at Progressive Field.
He didn't need it.
In a career-high 6 2/3 innings, Rodon held the Indians scoreless on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts, and the Sox pulled off a 2-1 victory over the Indians on Sunday. The Sox outscored the Indians 26-5 on their trip to Cleveland to complete a four-game series sweep for the first time since 2010 and for the first time on the road since 2007.
It was also their first four-game sweep in Cleveland since 2005, and it leaves the 46-50 Sox in an interesting spot heading into a four-game series against the Red Sox, who sit at the bottom of the American League East standings.
The Sox are playing some of their best baseball just days before Friday's trade deadline as general manager Rick Hahn ponders whether to sell off some veterans for prospects. Manager Robin Ventura said he wants his team to "just keep playing" in the face of the uncertainty, and the grains of hope from the weekend at least are helping them to do it with optimism.
"Why not us?" Rodon said. "That's the mentality we've got to have. Why not us? Why can't we do it? So just keep on winning, keep on plugging away, and this brand of baseball we've been playing this weekend should keep it going."
Rodon was looking to bounce back after he tied a career high by allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and three walks in his last start against the Cardinals.
He had a much easier time with the stumbling Indians.
He put runners on second and third to start the third inning, but the Sox defense helped him out. On a ground ball to first base, Jose Abreu made the throw to catcher Tyler Flowers to catch the lead runner in a successful rundown for the first out, and the Sox finished the inning with a double play. Rodon also left runners on the corners with two outs in the seventh for reliever Jake Petricka, who struck out Roberto Perez.
Closer David Robertson allowed a run in the ninth but still emerged with his 21st save.
"(Rodon) can get himself into some trouble, but what he has that most people don't is he can get himself out of trouble," Ventura said. "He had pretty good command, gave up a hit here and there, but as far as being aggressive and getting after it, he was great."
Rodon's outing continued a nice run for Sox starting pitchers, who haven't issued a walk in five straight games, the team's longest stretch since 1972.
After the Sox put together their highest-scoring three-game stretch this year from Thursday to Saturday, Carlos Sanchez's solo homer and Melky Cabrera's RBI single were enough Sunday as they improved to 7-8 at Progressive Field over the last two years.
"This place has been tough on us the last couple of years, so to come in and do this is nice," Ventura said. "It's a nice little roll going on, and you want to keep it going."
ckane@tribpub.com
