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Indians beat White Sox 4-1

Jason Kipnis' game-ending grand slam and 1,000th career hit came on one big swing.
 
Kipnis homered with one out in the ninth inning and the Cleveland Indians rallied for a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
 
Kipnis hit a 3-2 pitch from Ian Hamilton into the right field seats for his milestone hit and was doused with water buckets by his teammates as he conducted a postgame television interview.
 
While the Indians have already clinched their third straight AL Central title, the season has been a difficult one for Kipnis. He's struggled at the plate and was moved from second base to center field two weeks ago.
 
The Indians were held to two hits through eight before their comeback.
 
Josh Donaldson started the ninth with an infield hit. Pitcher Juan Minaya fielded the ball that rolled about 30 feet up the third base line, but Donaldson beat the throw to first. Chicago challenged the play but the ruling was upheld.
 
Pinch-hitter Yandy Diaz bounced a single through the left side that moved pinch-runner Rajai Davis to second.
 
Melky Cabrera popped up a bunt attempt to the mound that was caught by reliever Caleb Frare (0-1). Hamilton replaced Frare, but hit Yan Gomes with the first pitch to load the bases.
 
Oliver Perez (1-1) recorded the final out in the ninth for the Indians.
 
Daniel Palka homered for the White Sox, who remained winless at Progressive Field this season, falling to 0-8.
 
Indians starter Carlos Carrasco struck out 11 in 6 2/3 innings, but gave up Palka's home run to center with one out in the sixth.
 
Chicago's strong pitching made the lead hold up until the ninth. Dylan Covey allowed two hits in six innings and struck out Yonder Alonso with the bases loaded to end the third.
 
White Sox slugger Jose Abreu was released from a Cleveland hospital Wednesday after being treated for an infection in his right thigh.
 
Donaldson, acquired from Toronto on Aug. 31, turned in two outstanding plays at third base, both against Ryan Cordell.
 
Donaldson went to his knees to make a backhand stop of a third-inning grounder, jumped to his feet and made a strong throw to first. He speared a hard-hit ground ball in the seventh and made another strong throw for the out.
 
The 2015 AL MVP is batting .167 (3 for 18) with four strikeouts in six games with Cleveland.
 
Donaldson played on consecutive days for the first time since joining the Indians. Francona said he'll be off on Thursday.
 
Palka moved into a tie with Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. for the major league lead in rookie home runs.
 
Up next for the White Sox RHP James Shields (7-16, 4.53 ERA) takes on Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (1-5, 6.49 ERA) in the three-game series finale. Shields leads the AL in losses.

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