White Sox and Indians split double-header
(CLEVELAND) - Tony La Russa stood in the visiting dugout, soaking in the scene as the Chicago White Sox celebrated their first AL Central title since 2008. Tim Anderson hit a pair of homers as the White Sox took game one of a double header against host Cleveland 7-2, but fell in the second game 5-3. A wild-card team last season, the White Sox are going to the postseason in consecutive years for the first time. Chicago is in their first season under La Russa, who turns 77 on Oct. 4. La Russa retired after guiding St. Louis to the 2011 World Series title, then was hired to replace Rick Renteria last October. Chicago (86-66) moved into first place for good on May 7. The White Sox have not advanced in the postseason since winning the 2005 World Series and last hosted a playoff game 13 years ago. Anderson hit his fifth leadoff home run of the season and added a three-run drive in the second for his sixth career multi-homer game. Luis Robert and Eloy Jiménez hit consecutive homers in the second as Chicago grabbed a 7-0 lead off Aaron Civale (11-5). Aaron Bummer (4-5) retired all three batters in the fifth as four White Sox relievers combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings in a game shortened to seven innings under pandemic rules. Closer Liam Hendriks struck out Myles Straw to end the game, setting off a celebration in front of the visiting dugout that featured players saluting the several hundred White Sox fans at Progressive Field.

OTHER A.L. SCORES
Seattle 6 – Oakland 5
Baltimore 3 – Texas 0
Minnesota 7 – Toronto 2
LA Angels 3 – Houston 2

THURSDAY N.L. SCORES
St. Louis 8 – Milwaukee 5
LA Dodgers 7 – Colorado 5 (10 innings)
Arizona 6 – Atlanta 4
San Diego 7 – San Francisco 6 (10 innings)
Washington 3 – Cincinnati 2
Philadelphia 12 – Pittsburgh 6