CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox fell 6-2 Tuesday and their three-game series against the Cleveland Indians is now even at a game each.
How it happened: There would be no late rally this time as the Chicago White Sox were held down on offense a day after turning a four-run ninth inning into a victory. White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon made his major league debut, but he walked the first batter he faced and then gave up a two-run single to pinch hitter Ryan Raburn. Jose Abreu had a home run in the first inning, his fourth. White Sox starter Hector Noesi gave up four runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings, while Indians starter Carlos Carrasco gave up one run on four hits over five innings. White Sox hitters struck out 15 times on the night.
What it means: Nerves appeared to get the best of Rodon, as last year's first-round pick, walked three of the first five batters he faced and got visits from pitching coach Don Cooper in the first two innings he worked. Typically a starter, Rodon made his debut in an unfamiliar spot with two runners aboard. But he wasn't much different starting the following inning, walking the first two batters he faced. The left-hander went 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits with three walks. He threw 60 pitches, but just 29 strikes.
Outside the box: Rodon's major league debut might not have been pretty, but alas, not all is lost. Chris Sale's 2010 debut wasn't a thing of beauty either, albeit on a much smaller scale, and he still managed to overcome it. In an Aug. 6, 2010 relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles, Sale threw seven pitches while giving up a walk and a hit. Throwing mostly fastballs, while topping out at 98 mph on the radar gun, Rodon was consistently above the strike zone with his pitches.
Off beat: Carrasco was making his first start for the Indians in a week, after last pitching April 14 at Cleveland against the White Sox. On that night, a comebacker from Melky Cabrera hit Carrasco in the jaw and he was removed from the game in the first inning. The Indians adjusted their rotation to give Carrasco a little extra time before facing the White Sox again.
Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 4.29) to the mound Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series. The Indians will counter with right-hander Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.63) in the 1:10 p.m. CT start from U.S. Cellular Field.