Carlos Carrasco strikes out 8, Indians beat White Sox 6-2

CHICAGO (AP) On a cold night in Chicago, Carlos Carrasco worked an efficient five innings in his first start since being smacked in the face with a line drive against these same White Sox.

The Cleveland Indians bullpen took it from there in a 6-2 win Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field, where the temperatures slipped into the lower 40s with wind chills in the 30s.

''I felt a little bit tight, so they took me out,'' said Carrasco who went seven days between starts. ''I missed a week or something like that, so they wanted to take care of it and they did the right move.''

Carrasco struck out eight and allowed just one run on four hits, while Carlos Santana and David Murphy hit solo home runs and the Indians snapped a two-game losing streak.

''I thought he pitched really well,'' said Indians manager Terry Francona. ''I thought he used his off speed especially well tonight. (He) located real well, worked ahead and I thought he did a real good job.

''But it was so cold and he was tight and it was taking him a little more each inning to get loose,'' Francona said. ''The last thing we needed to go was have somebody go an inning or two too long.''

Still, Carrasco (2-1) looked strong a week after outfielder Melky Cabrera's liner struck him in the first inning of a 4-1 loss last Tuesday. The right hander improved to 1-1 against Chicago this season.

White Sox starter Hector Noesi (0-2) lasted 5 2-3 innings and departed with runners on first and third for Carlos Rodon, who was making his major league debut.

Rodon gave up a two-run single to pinch hitter Ryan Raburn in the sixth and allowed two more runs in the seventh.

Seven Cleveland pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts.

Chicago's first run came on first baseman Jose Abreu's fourth home run.

Santana replied with a leadoff homer to right in the second for a 1-1 tie. His third home run of the season came on a full count.

Murphy added a solo shot to right for a 2-1 Indians lead in the fifth.

Cleveland made it 4-1 when Rodon loaded the bases with a walk to Brandon Moss. Raburn then lined a two-run, pinch-hit single to left to score Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley.

Rodon also struggled in the seventh as the Indians opened a 6-1 lead.

''I threw all over the place but finally found some command,'' Rodon said. ''Maybe a little overthrowing. There's no excuses. You've got to be good in that situation.''

Rodon worked 2 1-3 innings, giving up three hits, two earned runs, three walks and a strikeout.

The Indians retired 15 of 16 White Sox batters between the third and eighth, when Adam Eaton singled with two out as Chicago mounted its most serious threat.

LONELY HOMERS

All 11 Cleveland home runs have been solo shots and all have come on the road this season. The Indians had Monday home runs from Ryan Raburn and Brett Hayes and the pair Tuesday from Santana and Murphy.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: INF Zach Walters (oblique strain) is set to play make a rehab appearance Wednesday at Triple-A Columbus while 1B Nick Swisher (knee surgery) reports on Thursday as both seek to come off the disabled list. ''Zach's healthy, he's ready to go,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said. ''Swish is still trying got build up to game speed.''

White Sox: RHP Jake Petricka didn't make an appearance in his second game back since being re-instated from the 15-day disabled list (right forearm strain) on Monday.

UP NEXT: White Sox RHP Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 4.29 ERA) makes his fourth start in Wednesday's series finale. He had no decision in an eight-inning, one-run effort against the Tigers on April 17. Samardzija is 1-1 in six all-time starts against Cleveland. RHP Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.84 ERA) makes his fourth start. He had a no decision in a 3-2 loss on April 17 at Minnesota. The 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner is 2-1 in 10 appearances against Chicago.