Masterson unimpressive again today. He should have taken the Indians' offer.

Suddenly Murphy isn't looking altogether shabby.

Not so suddenly. He's been a force all season so far.

joez wrote:Well, Ken, if someone doesn't start hitting and soon, you may be correct. Five of our top hitters are hitting .200 or less and Bourn can't hit AA pitching. It's critical that we get Giambi back soon. Tito needs help.

Well, we put up 12 runs today. It's the pitching that worries me. The Indians kept coming back in the last 2 games, then the pitchers gave the runs back in the bottom of the innings.

It's been a few days...
..............WE WIN!!!

CHICAGO -- The Cleveland Indians almost wasted a great chance to grab the lead in the seventh inning on Saturday. Then Ryan Raburn came to the plate and did what he usually does against the Chicago White Sox.

Raburn hit a tiebreaking single and David Murphy drove in four runs, leading the Indians to a 12-6 victory over the White Sox.

"It's a team win," Raburn said. "Just to be able to be in that position to help us out, I mean, that's a tribute to our team putting us in that position."

Murphy, Nick Swisher and Jason Kipnis homered for Cleveland, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Murphy added a bases-loaded triple in a four-run ninth against Donnie Veal.

The Indians improved to 18-4 against the White Sox since the beginning of last season, overcoming another shaky start by Justin Masterson. They will try for a split of the four-game series Sunday.

"It was a long day of good at-bats and we needed them," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Adam Eaton had two hits, including his first homer, and walked twice for the White Sox, who have scored five or more runs in nine of their 12 games this season.

"We're going up there with an approach and trying to execute the approach," Eaton said. "It will come around and we'll be just fine. I love seeing the fight."

Alexei Ramirez's nifty slide past catcher Carlos Santana tied it at 6 in the fifth, but Raburn put the Indians ahead to stay with a two-run single in the seventh.

The Indians loaded the bases with one out against Ronald Belisario (1-1) and Scott Downs. Daniel Webb came in and got Asdrubal Cabrera to foul out, but Raburn followed with a bouncer into center field to make it 8-6.

"They got a chance to wiggle out of that with a tie game at home and Raburn smacks that ball up the middle and gives us the lead," Francona said. "That was huge."

Raburn, who began his career with Detroit, has a .301 batting average, 17 homers and 72 RBIs in 97 career games against Chicago.

"This is one of those places, I feel pretty comfortable up there," he said. "I've faced these guys so many times you kind of get a knack for what they're trying to do, but you've still got to put the bat on the ball."

Raburn's big hit handed a win to Josh Outman, one of four relievers who shut down the White Sox after Masterson labored through 4 2/3 innings. Outman (2-0), Bryan Shaw, Cody Allen and John Axford combined for 4 1/3 innings of one-hit ball.

Masterson was charged with six runs, five earned, and seven hits in his first start since he lasted just 3 2/3 innings against Minnesota last Sunday. The right-hander also walked five to go along with seven strikeouts.

"I was decently happy with the way things took place as far as how I felt when I let go of the ball," Masterson said. "Sometimes after letting go of the ball, the things I can't control, they got me a little bit."

Masterson dominated the White Sox last year, going 4-0 with a sparkling 0.83 ERA in 32 2/3 innings.

Chicago right-hander Felipe Paulino also had a rough start, allowing six runs and six hits in five innings.

"I've been fighting a lot executing my pitches (the) last couple of games," Paulino said. "But I miss a lot of spots. ... My slider comes sometimes, but I'm looking for consistency."

Francona won a replay challenge after Nyjer Morgan was picked off in the first, leading to three runs. The overturned call put Morgan back at first base, and he eventually scored on Michael Brantley's two-run single. Cabrera added a run-scoring groundout.

Eaton's homer gave the White Sox a 5-4 lead in the second. Cleveland went back in front when Swisher and Kipnis connected in the fifth. It was the first set of back-to-back homers for the Indians this season.

Game notes

Indians OF Michael Bourn (strained left hamstring) will play another rehab game with Double-A Akron on Sunday. "I think he's feeling pretty good. I think the last thing is being able to get to that gear and not having to think about it. That'll be when he's ready to go," Francona said. ... Indians RHP Corey Kluber (1-1, 7.71 ERA) and White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (1-0, 2.77) square off in the series finale. ... The Indians are off Monday, and Francona said RHP Carlos Carrasco will work out of the bullpen before making his next start Saturday against Toronto. Carrasco allowed five runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings during Friday's 9-6 loss to the White Sox.

A bit of a delay, a bit more of rain, a big strike zone, but no runs yet.

CWS turn the tables on us with a walkoff homer, after we had come back to take the lead. They take 3 out of 4 in the series.

Only 13 games in but not a great start. Can't lose series to the Twinks and WhiteSox. Three of the first 4 hitters are below the Mendoza line. Santana with an awful ST and an awful start.

And an awful winter Seagull. I was concerned about him then. There's even more concern now. While Eric Gonzalez banging out base hits, Santana couldn't hit a lick and they both played for Escogido.

For the most part, Santana has not played up to expectations. He had one decent season but basically has been an average performer since we traded for him.

The division has improved significantly. I wouldn't count anyone as pushovers anymore.

Including the Indians.

Disappointed in Santana's offense; 1 RBI; numerous GIDP. Perhaps he's been paying too much attention to his defense?

Tonight's game in Detroit has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be rescheduled at a later date (not during this current series)

Makes it easier when it's a division opponent you will see many times later in the year.

Which makes it all the more surprising they didn't call the Reds-Pirates game earlier. They are in the same division, too.

Speaking of divisions, remember the Tigers weren't in ours from '94 through '97