Carlos Carraso Sharp As Indians Blank White Sox Again; Wilson Contreras Grand Slam Leads Cubs

Players of the Day for Saturday, April 22, 2017

American League

Carrasco: 8IP, 3H, 0R

In 2016, Carlos Carrasco played a pivotal role in getting the Cleveland Indians to the top of the AL Central. Though the Tribe would eventually arrive at the World Series, Carrasco was lost to injury in mid-September and missed the post-season.

Now, with Carrasco healed and the Indians already in first place, the future looks bright, especially after the Venezuelan righty tossed eight scoreless innings in a 7-0 whitewash of the White Sox, Saturday night in Chicago.

Carrasco (2-1, 1.65) threw 73 of 106 pitches for strikes, fanning eight, allowing one walk and just three hits as the Indians stretched their scoreless streak against the Pale Hose to 18 innings. Corey Kluber threw a three-hit shutout against them on Friday. In their last three games - all losses - Chicago has scored exactly one run, falling to 7-9, 2 1/2 behind the division-leading Indians.

The series wraps up Sunday, 2:10 pm ET. The Indians will be looking for their sixth straight win.

National League

Contreras: Grand Slam

Winners of four straight, the Chicago Cubs have surged to the lead in the NL Central and are starting to play like the world champions that they are.

As Cincinnati hurlers walked eight batters, the Cubs responded with nine hits, outscoring the Reds, 12-8, in the second of their three-game series in Cincy.

The two squads combined for six homers, including Wilson Contreras' second inning grand slam, which provided a three-run cushion and a lead the Reds could not overcome.

Contreras also doubled and singled in four at-bats, scoring three times. The effort was the best so far for the second year catcher, who seems to have settled into the starting role ahead of Miguel Montero. In 15 games, Contreras is batting .275 with two home runs and 10 RBI.

The Cubs go for the sweep Sunday, at 1:10 pm ET at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.