Salazar aims to continue Indians' dominance of White Sox

CHICAGO -- After losing four of five games, the Cleveland Indians have found their groove.

The reigning American League champions look to extend their winning streak to six games as they conclude their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Indians starter Danny Salazar (1-1, 3.57 ERA) will take the mound after having possibly his best start of the season his last time out.

The right-hander allowed a run and two walks, scattered seven hits and struck out seven in a 3-1 victory against the Minnesota Twins. His 27 strikeouts are tied for fifth in the AL, and his 13.75 strikeouts per nine innings paces the majors.

"We've all seen when he's got it going, he can really do some damage out there," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I think he's learning that maybe when he doesn't have his best stuff, you gotta go compete and find a way to keep your team in a game."

Salazar struck out 11 and held the White Sox to two runs in six innings in a 2-1 loss to Chicago on April 12. In 10 career starts against the White Sox, he is 5-3 with a 3.65 ERA.

Salazar will try to continue the Indians starting pitching dominance

over Chicago. After Corey Kluber limited the White Sox to three hits in a complete-game shutout Friday, Carlos Carrasco gave up three hits in eight scoreless innings in Saturday's 7-0 victory.

"When you can start getting into the season where guys have repetition, you can let them play or pitch and not worry about pitch counts and things like that, it's nice," Francona said. "When you pitch, it makes the rest of your ballclub look pretty crisp. You catch the ball, the runs you score are meaningful, it's a good way to play."

The White Sox (7-9) haven't scored for 23 consecutive innings.

"We want to make sure that we give ourselves a chance by staying and trusting with the approaches we take into the at-bats," manager Rick Renteria said. "Try not to focus too much in the results and stay focused on the approaches.

"It's a great learning lesson for all of us as a club, every single player, from one through nine, to the guys on the bench, see how they're going after us," he added. "We just have to make some adjustments."

Left-hander Derek Holland (1-2, 2.16) will make the start for Chicago after a rough outing in his last start. He allowed seven runs (two earned) and a season-high nine hits in a season-low 4 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees.

Holland is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 10 career starts against Cleveland. He held the Indians to a hit in six scoreless innings but issued four walks on April 12.

The Indians (10-7) lead the season series with the White Sox 3-2.

Francona said he was considering giving second baseman Jason Kipnis the day off Sunday. Kipnis, who is coming back from a strained right rotator cuff, was activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday.