Red Sox Power Past White Sox, 7-3
CHICAGO (AP) — Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez and Jackie Bradley Jr. homered to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.
The Red Sox won for the ninth time in 11 games and took two of three in this series between AL division leaders, although this was anything but a thing of beauty.
The teams combined to strand 21 runners and draw 16 walks. But the East-leading Red Sox came up with enough big hits to prevail in a game that lasted 3 hours, 57 minutes.
Pedroia had three hits, starting with a solo homer in the first. Ramirez connected leading off a two-run third against Erik Johnson (0-1).
Bradley made it 5-3 after Chicago pulled within one with his solo drive off Matt Albers in the sixth.
David Ortiz capped a two-run eighth with an RBI double that boosted the lead to four, and reliever Matt Barnes (2-1) worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win.
The White Sox's Avisail Garcia chased Henry Owens with a leadoff homer in the fourth. But the AL Central leaders dropped their second straight after winning nine of 11.
Owens gave up two runs and two hits while walking six, and Johnson wasn't much better for Chicago.
Recalled from Triple-A Charlotte after the White Sox let struggling veteran John Danks go, the 26-year-old right-hander gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings. Johnson struck out six and walked three.
The White Sox cut it to 4-3 with one out in the fifth when Hector Sanchez drew a bases-loaded walk against Heath Hembree. Mookie Betts then nailed Brett Lawrie trying to score on Austin Jackson's fly to right, ending the inning. The White Sox challenged the play, claiming catcher Ryan Hanigan blocked the plate, but the call stood.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: Ramirez started at first after missing Wednesday's game with flu-like symptoms. ... Bradley played with a sore right ring finger. ... RHP Joe Kelly (right shoulder impingement) is scheduled to throw 55 pitches Friday for Triple-A Pawtucket.
White Sox: The White Sox placed reliever Jake Petricka on the 15-day disabled list with a right-hip impingement. The move is retroactive to Monday. ... Manager Robin Ventura said C Alex Avila (strained right hamstring) is headed to Triple-A Charlotte for a rehab assignment. ... Garcia (right hamstring) missed the previous four games.
UP NEXT:
Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (5-0, 2.76 ERA) makes his second consecutive start against the New York Yankees, after throwing seven scoreless innings against them on Saturday.
White Sox: RHP Mat Latos (4-0, 1.84) looks to remain unbeaten as the White Sox open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.
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