MLB: Cleveland 6, Chi. White Sox 2

CHICAGO, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Kelly Shoppach hit his eighth and ninth homers of the season Friday in Cleveland's third straight win -- a 6-2 decision over the Chicago White Sox.

Chicago slipped three games behind Detroit in the battle for the lead in the American League Central.

Shoppach produced a two-run shot in the second that gave the Indians a 3-0 lead and hit a solo homer in the fourth that put Cleveland in front 5-2. He also drove in the final run of the game with a sixth-inning single.

The Indians won for the 10th time in 14 outings, but remain 11 1/2 games out of the division lead.

Jeremy Sowers (4-7) worked seven solid innings to get the win, allowing two runs on six hits. He defeated the White Sox for the first time in nine career starts against them.

Mark Buehrle (11-6) lost his third straight start since throwing a perfect game. He surrendered six runs on 11 hits in 7 2/3 innings.