Victor Martinez and Ronnie Belliard hit two-run homers, and Travis Hafner and Jason Michaels added solo shots, but the Cleveland Indians had to fend off another furious rally to beat the White Sox 10-8 on Sunday night and avoid a three-game sweep.
The Sox rallied for six runs in the ninth. Brian Anderson hit a three-run homer off reliever Jason Davis, who gave up four hits to start the inning. Rafael Betancourt got an out before giving up an RBI single to Ross Gload that made it 10-6. Closer Bob Wickman gave up a sacrifice fly to Rob Mackowiak and an RBI single to A.J. Pierzynski before getting Pablo Ozuna to fly out for his ninth save in 10 opportunities.
The save comes a day after Wickman had a heated exchange with pitcher Paul Byrd in the clubhouse.
Martinez and Belliard went deep in the fifth to extend the Indians’ lead to 7-2, and Hafner knocked out Sox starter Freddy Garcia (7-4) with a solo shot in the sixth.
