CHICAGO — Zach Plesac tossed six strong innings and the Cleveland Indians snapped a scoring drought with a six-run fourth in a 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
The Indians had been blanked for 13 innings before Franmil Reyes and Jordan Luplow each hit a two-run homer in the fourth. Luplow was 0 for 21 with a walk this season before homering.
“It felt like the entire world just came off my shoulders,” Luplow said of his feelings rounding the bases. “It was nice seeing the smiles in the dugout. They were so happy for me.”
First base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., who is filling in as manager while Terry Francona deals with health issues, said he stuck with Luplow because many of his at-bats were good.
“Sometimes you just want that first one to be a blooper, but I’ll take a homer,” Alomar said.
Domingo Santana added a solo homer in the eighth.
Plesac (1-1) allowed five hits and struck out seven in lowering his ERA to 1.29 this year.
The Cleveland pitching staff has allowed four runs or fewer in all 16 games this season.
Yoan Moncada homered in the eighth for Chicago. He has reached in 19 straight games dating back to last Sept. 25.
The Indians were held hitless through the first three innings before erupting for in the fourth. With one out and one on, Francisco Lindor doubled off Drew Anderson (0-1).
A wild pitch and a passed ball each scored runs. Reyes followed with his homer. Two batters later, Luplow, who struck out against Anderson in the third, connected for 6-0 lead.
“It pumps me up to go out there and put another zero up,” Plesac said of the big inning. “We all know the offense is going to come around.”
Strong debut
RHP Zack Burdi, a White Sox first-round pick in the 2016 draft, tossed a scoreless sixth inning with two strikeouts in his major league debut. Burdi, a native of nearby Downers Grove, was recalled from Chicago’s alternate site at Schaumburg on Saturday morning.
“Being from Chicago and making your debut for the White Sox is what 50 percent of Chicago dreams of,” Burdi said. “For me, this was my dream and what I thought about when I was a kid. This is a huge day for a lot of people and I’m really excited it’s finally here and everyone was able to experience it.”
Tigers 11, Pirates 5
PITTSBURGH — Niko Goodrum, Miguel Cabrera, C.J. Cron and Jeimer Candelario all hit home runs in the first inning against Pittsburgh’s Derek Holland to lead Detroit.
Detroit sent four of Holland’s first 11 pitches over the fence at PNC Park to propel the Tigers to another big offensive outburst against reeling Pittsburgh one night after a 17-13 win in 11 innings.
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