Jason Kipnis remains hot for Tribe; collects four RBI in win

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN Sports) – Though he got off to a slow start, Jason Kipnis has been turning things around at the plate as he ripped a three-run homer and posted a career-high four RBI, helping the Cleveland Indians to a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

In winning the rubber match of a three-game set, the Indians stretched their lead in the American League Central.

It was a memorable trip for the 25-year-old native of nearby suburban Northbrook as Kipnis also tripled in a run, walked and scored twice.

During a two-run third, Kipnis tripled home a run off Chicago starter John Danks and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera’s single.

In the seventh, he gave the Tribe some breathing room by putting them ahead 7-3 as he crushed a 3-1 pitch from Danks into the right field with two out after Chicago cut the deficit to 4-3.

That hit was the fourth homer for Kipnis, who started the season tentatively, hitting .167 (8-for-48) in his first 12 contests. Kipnis is hitting .439 (18-for-41) in his past 11 games.

Kipnis’ stellar outing helped Cleveland starter Justin Masterson (1-2) collect his first win of the season. Masterson held the White Sox to three runs on eight hits over 6 1-3 innings.

Cabrera belted a solo blast in the sixth inning and knocked in two, while Casey Kotcman finished with two hits, and RBI and a run scored as the Indians clinched their fourth straight road series win to begin a season for the first time since 1961.

Danks (2-4) gave up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and a walk over seven innings in the loss.

The win moved the AL Central-leading Indians (13-10) to 9-3 on the road, tying Texas for the best in the majors. Cleveland is set to host a three-game set versus the Rangers starting Friday night.

The Rangers, coming off a loss in the finale of three-game series in Toronto, will attempt to get back on track with right-hander Colby Lewis (3-0, 1.93) as starter, while the Tribe will counter with Jeanmar Gomez (1-1, 2.35), who will start for the fourth time this season and the first in his career against Texas.

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