Three-run seventh inning lifts White Sox past Indians

CLEVELAND (AP) -- If the Chicago White Sox are trying to send the Cleveland Indians a message, it has been received.

"You look at that team over there, they're a little bit tougher than we are right now," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said after the White Sox defeated the Indians 6-5 on Wednesday.

The AL Central-leading White Sox have won five of six against Cleveland in a nine-game span and 11 of 14 overall.

Chicago has beaten the Indians exactly 1,000 times.

"To win your division, you have to fare well against the teams in your division," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "So far, so good. I won't get cocky, but I definitely feel better about the ballclub."

Carlos Quentin drove in three runs, including a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run seventh inning.

"A lot of guys got big hits today," Quentin said. "It was a battle. We scored and they came back at us. We were fortunate today. We'll take it."

Gavin Floyd (5-3) allowed two runs in the first, then retired 15 of 17 hitters before the Indians scored three times to take a 5-3 lead in the sixth. Floyd gave up five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits in six innings with seven strikeouts.

Bobby Jenks pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 16 chances, escaping a second-and-third, one-out jam when Ben Francisco and Victor Martinez popped out.

"To have runners on second and third, it was a big win for us," Guillen said. "Bobby did a great job."

Trailing by two runs, the White Sox surged ahead in the seventh after third baseman Andy Marte couldn't handle Joe Crede's leadoff grounder for an error.

Alexei Ramirez singled off Rafael Perez and, one out later, A.J. Pierzynski's hit a run-scoring double off Rafael Betancourt (1-3).

Quentin, who has driven in 23 runs in his last 20 games, followed with a double into the left-field corner.

Cleveland has lost 10 of 12, dropping 5½ games back in the division. Wedge once again expressed his displeasure with the way his team is playing.

"Until we start making adjustments, [opposing teams] are going to keep sticking it to us," he said. "It's up to them to get it done. There can be no excuses."

Jake Westbrook, activated from the disabled list before the game, allowed three runs and five hits in five innings. He hadn't pitched for the Indians since April 19 because of a strained left muscle in the rib area.

Floyd's run-scoring throwing error and Martinez's RBI infield hit gave the Indians a 2-0 lead in the first.

"I felt great in the first inning," Floyd said. "Things just weren't going my way. I just waited for us to come back and then keep it that way."

Jermaine Dye, who entered the game in a 1-for-15 slide, hit a two-out homer in the fourth, and the White Sox went ahead 3-2 in the fifth on Pierzynski's RBI groundout and Quentin's sacrifice fly.

Cleveland took a 5-3 lead in the sixth on David Dellucci's RBI double and Jhonny Peralta's two-run homer on an 0-2 pitch.

"To battle back today, that shows the character of our ballclub," Guillen said.

Game notes
DH Travis Hafner had a cortisone shot in his right shoulder Tuesday and hopes to play Friday night at Kansas City. Hafner, who has missed the last three games, could be placed on the DL if he isn't ready by the weekend. ... The White Sox are 1,000-965 overall against Cleveland. ... Right-hander Jorge Julio was designated for assignment to clear room for Westbrook on the roster. ... Marte had his first career stolen base in the second inning. ... Right-hander Adam Miller, the Indians' top pitching prospect, underwent reconstructive surgery on the middle finger of his right hand Tuesday and will be shut down for eight weeks. Miller, who was pitching at Triple-A Buffalo, had a frayed tendon in the finger, which had also developed a callus. ... Outfielder Nick Swisher, in a 5-for-30 slump, didn't play for the White Sox.