White Sox Fall to Indians, 7-1, in Home Opener

The Chicago White Sox keep insisting things will be different. This one had an awfully familiar feel, though.

John Danks struggled through the snow, rain and biting cold, and the White Sox got pounded by the Cleveland Indians 7-1 Friday in a bone-chilling home opener.

"I've been excited about this start for a couple weeks now," Danks said. "I definitely pictured it going a lot different in my head. But it's baseball. Gotta get ready for the next one."

It was a frustrating performance for the White Sox. They looked more like the team that lost 86 games last season than one that hopes to contend in the AL Central this year.

Newcomer Todd Frazier had two of Chicago's three hits and homered. But the White Sox never were in this one thanks to Danks' struggles on the mound and a few miscues on defense and the bases.

"It's very frustrating," Frazier said. "We've been doing our jobs the last four games and coming out hot. Games like this happen. We couldn't really find a groove there with everybody, and that's just the way it goes."

Danks (0-1) allowed seven runs — five earned — and eight hits over five innings.

Danny Salazar pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning for Cleveland, and the Indians came away with an easy win.

It was 39 degrees at first pitch and snow and rain fell during the day, but the Indians were in their element. Cleveland jumped to a 5-0 lead against Danks after splitting two games at home with Boston in a season-opening series that included two postponements.

Jason Kipnis singled and scored during a three-run first and capped a two-run second with a sacrifice fly.

Francisco Lindor added two hits and two runs. Mike Napoli scored twice. Carlos Santana and Yan Gomes each drove in two, and center fielder Rajai Davis raced back to make a diving catch against Adam Eaton.

Salazar (1-0), a 14-game winner last season, gave up a solo homer to Frazier but not much else. He struck out seven and walked three over 5 1/3 innings.

STRIKING EARLY

Danks ran into trouble in the first when he gave up one-out singles to Kipnis and Lindor before walking Napoli to load the bases. Two runs came in when catcher Alex Avila threw wildly to first after fielding Santana's chopper, and Gomes followed with a sacrifice fly.

The Indians added to it in the second when Jose Ramirez doubled with one out and Davis tripled to right-center. Kipnis followed with a sacrifice fly to shallow center, making it 5-0 and drawing more boos from a crowd that has seen too much of this.

Danks fell behind hitters, the defense was shaky and Avisail Garcia was picked off first base in the bottom of the second inning, bringing back memories of last year's 76-win season.

The White Sox did not get a hit until Frazier, their biggest offseason addition, drove an 0-2 pitch beyond the left field bullpen in the fourth for his second homer.

TUNING UP

The pregame festivities had a musical flare with Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik singing the National Anthem and Chance the Rapper, a South Side product, throwing out the first pitch.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: Lonnie Chisenhall (left wrist impingement) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Columbus and Michael Brantley (right shoulder surgery) was to begin working out with the minor league club this weekend. Both outfielders are on the 15-day disabled list.

White Sox: SS Jimmy Rollins was back in the lineup after a planned off day.

UP NEXT 

Indians: RHP Cody Anderson makes his first start after going 7-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 15 outings as a rookie last season.

White Sox: LHP Chris Sale (1-0, 3.86 ERA) looks to build on a season-opening win at Oakland.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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