And the Race Is On: White Sox Cut Indians’ Lead to 2

Darren Lewis had four hits, three RBIs and scored three runs Thursday night as the Chicago White Sox sent notice that there will be an American League Central race by beating the Cleveland Indians, 15-10, at Chicago.

Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura also drove in three runs each for the White Sox, who cut Cleveland’s lead to two games. At this point a year ago, the White Sox trailed the Indians by 23 games.

It was the first of eight games between the teams in the 11 days leading to the All-Star break.

Cleveland lost for the sixth time in seven games.

New York 3, Baltimore 2--Kenny Rogers pitched effectively into the eighth inning at New York as the first-place Yankees began a four-game series against the team closest to them in the East with a victory.

The Yankees started an 11-game home stand that will take them into the All-Star break by opening a 5 1/2-game lead over the Orioles. New York won its third in a row and sent Baltimore to its third consecutive loss.

Rogers (6-3) gave up seven singles in 7 2/3 innings, and didn’t allow Brady Anderson, the major league home run leader, to hit a ball out of the infield.

Milwaukee 6, Kansas City 2--John Jaha homered twice and Ben McDonald (8-3) pitched seven strong innings at Kansas City.

Greg Vaughn and Dave Nilsson each added solo home runs for Milwaukee. The Brewers set a club record by homering for the 16th consecutive game.

Detroit 9, Boston 6--Chad Curtis and Melvin Nieves drove in two runs apiece at Boston to support right-hander Felipe Lira (5-7).

Curtis’ two-run bloop single to center broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth, and the Tigers won for the fifth time in six games.

Seattle 9, Toronto 1--Bob Wells won his seventh consecutive decision, and Paul Sorrento drove in four runs at Toronto.

Wells (9-1) gave up a run-scoring double to Ed Sprague in the first, then pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings to help end the Mariners’ three-game losing streak.