Tribe 2-0

Fausto Carmona survived early wildness to pitch seven strong innings and the Tribe got timely hits from the top two hitters in their lineup to beat the White Sox 7-2 Wednesday for the second straight game.

Carmona walked four in the first four innings while struggling to consistently locate his sinker. Several times his pitch hit three or four feet in front of the plate. But despite the wild streak, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound right hander induced Chicago's hitters into three double play balls and stayed clear of any more trouble.

Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera provided all the offense the Tribe needed as the two combined for six hits and five RBIs. Travis Hafner also collected two hits and Ryan Garko had an RBI.

Early on, it appeared Carmona might be in for a tough evening. He walked the second hitter of the game, Orlando Cabrera, on four pitches. But Carmona fired a hard sinker that Chicago's Jim Thome pounded into the ground toward Casey Blake at third, who started the 5-4-3 inning-ending double play.

In the second, Carmona walked leadoff batter Paul Konerko and yielded a single to Jermaine Dye. After A.J. Pierzynski nearly hit into a double play, Carmona threw a first pitch sinker that rookie Alexei Rameirez slapped to Jhonny Peralta, who promptly scooped up the ball and turned a 6-4-3 double play.

Carmona's final double play came after another walk to Cabrera. For a second time Thome grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Carmona's key stat of the game: 16 ground ball outs, one fly ball out.

The Tribe plays a noon game tomorrow and will look for a season-opening sweep. Cleveland sends Jake Westbrook to the hill against Chicago's John Danks. For what it's worth, Westbrook
pitched 18 scoreless innings in spring training and looks to build off of last season's 6-9 record and 4.32 ERA.

Game Wrap and Box Score