Alex Rios’ huge hit in 10th aids White Sox rally vs. Tribe

Cleveland, OH, United States (AHN Sports) – Alex Rios delivered a go-ahead triple in the 10th inning, and the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Cleveland Indians to get back on track with a 5-3 win Tuesday night, in the third installment of a four-game set at Progressive Field.

Rios finished with three hits for Chicago, which halted a three-game losing skid.

The White Sox held a 3-0 lead in the eighth, before the AL Central-leading Indians rallied (17-12) for a tie.

Carlos Santana hit a two-run single, as part of a three-run eighth for the Indians and made it a tied affair at 3-3. It also sent Tribe starter Justin Masterson home with a no-decision.

But after Santana’s hit forced extra innings, Indians closer Chris Perez (0-1) gave up two runs, including Rios’s second triple of the season.

It was viewed by many as a sweet revenge for Rios, who may have gotten the last word in his recent feud with Perez, who started the 10th frame Tuesday night.

On May 3, Perez retired Rios for the final out in the Indians’ 7-5 win at Cellular Field. Rios took exception when Perez shouted in excitement when the White Sox outfielder’s grounder ended short.

The meeting ended in shouts and anger, with Rio being escorted off the field as the two exchanged words.

On Tuesday, Rios, who hustled home on a fielder’s choice, pumped his fists as he popped up after sliding into home and let out a yell. It was reminiscent of what started their previous heated meeting.

It marked only the second time in eight games that Rios helped the White Sox, but the 31-year-old center-fielder was not about to admit having satisfaction in handing Perez the loss.

“You know, it’s part of the game,” Rios, who finished 3-for-4 said via MLB.com. “I was just trying to have a good at-bat, try to hit the ball hard somewhere, to at least get somebody on first and third. It worked out pretty good.”

Incidentally, Rios, who batted .284 with 21 home runs and 88 RBI in 2010, was the last White Sox to hit a triple in extra innings. He last recorded that feat on Aug. 16 also against Perez in the 11th inning of an 8-7 win.

Perez, who appeared to have struggled entering games with the score tied last year, suffered his first defeat of the season. His last setback came on Sept. 10, when Rios hit a walk-off grand slam against him in Chicago.

Against Perez, Rios has hit an overall .300 (3-for-10) with one homer, two triples and five RBI.

Chicago starter John Danks, who left after giving up two runs to open the eighth, allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings in the no-decision.

Hector Santiago (1-1) picked up his first major league win after pitching the ninth, while Addison Reed worked a perfect ninth to collect the save.

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