Hafner, Indians top White Sox

Sep 12, 2007, 4:10 GMT

Chicago, IL - Travis Hafner had a pair of hits and drove in three runs as the Cleveland Indians roughed up the Chicago White Sox, 8-3, in the middle test of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

Ryan Garko added two hits -- including a solo homer -- and also drove in two runs for Cleveland, which has won 15 of its last 18 contests and increased its lead to 6 1/2 games over Detroit in the AL Central. The Tigers split a doubleheader with Texas on Tuesday.

Paul Byrd (15-6) earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Byrd, who walked a batter and also fanned one, owns an 8-2 record in 13 career starts against the White Sox.

'Paul threw the ball well,' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. 'He did a good job moving the baseball around and expanded the plate when needed. We had a couple of situations where we didn't execute but we made some things happen and got some big hits.'

Juan Uribe homered twice for Chicago, which has lost 15 of its last 20 games but nonetheless agreed on a four-year contract extension Tuesday that will keep manager Ozzie Guillen in the Windy City through the 2012 season.

Struggling rookie John Danks was reached for three runs on three hits over 2 2/3 frames in the start -- his shortest outing of the season. Danks ran into control problems and walked four batters, while still striking out three. Lance Broadway (0-1) took the loss, allowing a run and two hits over 2 2/3 innings of relief.

'The extra days of rest did not work for (Danks),' said Guillen. 'The first inning was phenomenal but after that he couldn't find the strike zone. Basically right now I think the 10 days off didn't work at all.'

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the second on Garko's lead-off homer to left- center.

The Sox tied it in the home half on Uribe's solo shot, but Cleveland scored twice in the third.

Kelly Shoppach was hit, went to second on a wild pitch and Grady Sizemore followed with a walk. Asdrubal Cabrera's sacrifice bunt moved the runners, and both scored on Hafner's base hit to right.

Chicago went on top in the fourth when Uribe crushed his second homer of the night, a two-out, two-run shot to left.

Cleveland, however, took control with a three-run sixth. Casey Blake doubled to right-center, went to third on Sizemore's single and scored on a ground- rule double by Cabrera. Hafner then walked to load the bases, before Garko and Jhonny Peralta also drew free passes to force in a pair.

The Tribe tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Jason Michaels singled, stole second and eventually scored on a ground out by Shoppach. Sizemore followed with a base hit, also stole second and Cabrera walked before Hafner's single plated Sizemore to make it 8-3.

Game Notes

Danks' last win was on July 16 at Cleveland...Chicago's bullpen allowed five runs, eight hits and six walks in the game...Garko's homer was his 18th of the season...Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 10 games...The Indians are 11-6 against the White Sox this season, with a 6-2 record in Chicago. The Tribe is also 22-14 in the last 35 matchups with the ChiSox.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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