MLB: Chi. White Sox 12, Boston 2

CHICAGO, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Mark Kotsay's two-run homer in the second inning ignited a 20-hit assault Friday that sent the Chicago White Sox coasting past Boston 12-2.

Kotsay and Alexei Ramirez each had three RBI in Ozzie Guillen's 500th game as manager of the White Sox.

The one-sided loss left Boston with just a two-game lead over Texas in the American League wild-card race.

Chicago scored five times in both the third and fourth innings. Ramirez had a two-run single in the third and drove in another run with a base hit in the fourth.

Freddy Garcia (1-2), who got the win, gave up a run on seven hits in six innings.

Losing pitcher Paul Byrd (1-1) allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3.