MLB: Cleveland 7, Chicago White Sox 5

CHICAGO, May 3 (UPI) -- Jason Kipnis staked Cleveland to the lead with a triple, homer and four RBI Thursday and the Indians held on to down the Chicago White Sox 7-5.

Kipnis tripled home Johnny Damon in the third and then scored on a single by Asdrubal Cabrera to give the Indians a 3-0 advantage.

Cleveland's lead was down to one heading into the seventh but Kipnis hit a three-run shot in that inning to put the Indians in control.

The White Sox cut their deficit in half with one out in the ninth when Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer off Dan Wheeler, resulting in Chris Perez being summoned from the bullpen. Perez walked Paul Konerko but then struck out A.J. Pierzynski and got Alex Rios on a grounder to end the game and collect his ninth save.

Cleveland starter Justin Masterson (1-2) allowed eight hits and walked three but he survived 6 1/3 innings while striking out six to win for the first time in his six starts this year.

John Danks (2-4) was touched for six runs on nine hits in seven innings to take the loss.