Game 153: White Sox 5, Indians 4

A similar start, but different ending.

Zach McAllister started the nightcap, and did a decent job. I think Zach has the stuff to be a major-league starter: his fastball at times reached 94 or 95, and it sat in the low 90s. Like most pitchers nowadays, he also featured a cut fastball as well. He controlled his slider better than his two fastballs, which isn't what you normally see from a young pitcher.

McAllister left the game with one out in the sixth, a runner on first his responsibility. Manny Acta brought in Rafael Perez to face Adam Dunn, but Perez walked Dunn, which led to a De Aza two-run double. Zach Putnam gave up two runs the following inning to surrender the lead. Putnam is one of a group of promising relievers who seem to be ready to make the jump from AAA to the majors, but he hasn't been able to repeat what he did in Columbus with the Indians.

Nick Hagadone cleaned up the mess in the seventh, and pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out two batters. Control is his biggest problem, but he has the raw stuff to get strikeouts in the majors. It wouldn't shock me if the Indians trade Rafael Perez this winter and replace him in the bullpen with Hagadone.

The Indians scored all four of their runs in the fourth inning. Jim Thome singled home Jason Donald, then after Grady Sizemore hit a sacrifice fly, Matt LaPorta doubled home Thome. A Jack Hannahan sac fly ended the scoring. The Indians chased Dylan Axelrod from the game in the next inning, eventually loading the bases, but Sizemore flew out to end the threat.

via www.fangraphs.com