White Sox Can't Rally Past Boston As Samardzija Continues To Struggle
CHICAGO (AP) -- Rusney Castillo homered and drove in a career-high five runs, Joe Kelly won his fifth straight outing and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-4, on Monday night.
Kelly (7-6) allowed five hits and two runs over 7 1/3 innings while walking one and striking out three. He became the first Red Sox pitcher since Clay Buchholz in 2013 to win five straight starts.
Jean Machi pitched the ninth for his second save in two opportunities.
Castillo went 3-for-4 and finished a triple shy of the cycle. His sixth-inning double to the right-center field gap drove in two runs and extended Boston's lead to 5-1.
Jeff Samardzija (8-10) dropped a career-worst fifth straight decision. After giving up Castillo's two-run double, Samardzija allowed the next two hitters to reach before being pulled after surrendering his second walk.
Samardzija struck out seven and allowed five earned runs and eight hits.
The White Sox, who had won three of their last four, cut the deficit to 5-2 in the sixth on Melky Cabrera's RBI groundout.
The Red Sox took a 3-1 lead in the second inning when Castillo drove Samardzija's slider over the center-field fence for a three-run homer. The two-out blast came two batters after Samardzija drilled Hanley Ramirez in the back after quickly retiring the first two batters.
Brock Holt followed with a single before Castillo's homer.
Chicago jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Jose Abreu's solo homer, his 24th.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia (strained right hamstring) plans to resume baseball activities soon after being placed on the disabled list on July 25. Interim manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Pedroia hopes to return to the lineup around Sept. 10, but indicated it could be earlier. . 2B Holt (oblique soreness) returned to the lineup and batted seventh after missing four games.
White Sox: RHP Zach Putnam (right groin) was not available to pitch Monday night after experiencing soreness while warming up in the bullpen Saturday night. Putnam was held out Sunday and manager Robin Ventura said the club wanted to check the groin out, but does not believe Putnam's discomfort to be anything serious.
UP NEXT
Red Sox LHP Wade Miley (10-9, 4.41) is 2-0 in August, but will be looking for his first road win since July 2 on Tuesday night. White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (7-10, 3.60) will be trying for his fourth win in seven starts.
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