Rios, Keppinger provide all the offense in 3-2 White Sox win
BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN dvanschouwen@suntimes.com April 24, 2013 4:16PM
Chicago White second baseman Sox Jeff Keppinger forces out the Cleveland Indians' Nick Swisher on a double play during the fourth inning at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Ill., on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. | Andrew A. Nelles~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 24, 2013 4:19PM
Alex Rios broke an 0-for-13 skid with a two-run homer, Jose Quintana pitched five strong innings, and the White Sox bullpen did the rest against the Cleveland Indians in a 3-2 victory that snapped a four-game losing streak for the Sox on Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field.
Rios’ homer in the fifth inning, his team-high sixth of the season, came on an 0-2 count against Zach McAllister following a two-out single by Jeff Keppinger (2-for-4, run, RBI) to give give the Sox a 3-0 lead. Keppinger drove in a run with a single in the first inning after Alejandro De Aza walked and stole second, the Sox’ first hit with a runner in scoring position in the last five games.
Quintana (2-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three. The lefty extended his scoreless innings streak to 18 innings before the Indians scored two in the sixth on Jason Kipnis’ RBI single -- and with reliever Nate Jones pitching -- a sacrifice fly by Mark Reynolds.
Jones, Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain and closer Addison Reed combined for four scoreless innings of relief work. Reed pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save in as many opportunities. It was Reed’s 12th straight converted save opportunity dating to last season.
The Sox (8-12) split an abbreviated two-game series with the Indians (8-11). Tuesday night’s scheduled game was rained out. The Sox open a four-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night.
