Advertisement

Chicago White Sox continue surge with win vs. Boston Red Sox

By Ken Powtak, The Sports Xchange
Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

BOSTON -- The way the Chicago White Sox are going now, outs turn into home runs.

Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu had an overturned replay review for a two-run homer after center fielder Mookie Betts tumbled into Boston's bullpen and the ball fell out of his glove, helping the White Sox spoil Pedro Martinez's number-retirement night with a 9-4 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Advertisement

"I once had one where I slid into a dugout, fell in and it dropped in," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura, a former third baseman. "You review it and see what happens. Fortunately for us it turns out to be a home run."

Left fielder Melky Cabrera went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and single, Abreu had three hits, and catcher Geovany Soto added a solo homer and reached base five times for the suddenly surging White Sox, who won their sixth straight.

Advertisement

It might just be time to call the White Sox "buyers" instead of "sellers" as the trade deadline nears.

Jeff Samardzija (8-5), rumored in a number of possible trades as the non-waiver deadline approaches Friday, was pulled with no outs in the ninth. He allowed four runs, seven hits, struck out three and walked one.

"The way these guys have been playing behind us pitchers -- not only the runs, but the defense, it's been outstanding," he said. "This is when you want to be playing your best ball -- to show them this group can get it done."

Dan Jennings got the final three outs.

Third baseman Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run homer for the sinking Red Sox, who lost for the 11th time in 13 games.

Wade Miley (8-9) was tagged for seven runs -- five coming in the first -- and 10 hits.

Betts ran from center to right-center, taking about two steps after he caught the ball before running into the short wall and tumbling over backward. The ball fell out of his glove when he hit the ground hard.

Advertisement

Ventura challenged the play and it was overturned, making it 7-2. Betts left the game. The club said he was being evaluated for a concussion.

Boston manager John Farrell didn't disagree with the call.

"The replay shows obviously the ball dislodging," Farrell said. "The call is made, an out call, as he's going over the wall. He's got to hold on to the ball. That's the bottom line."

In the seventh, Soto's homer over the Green Monster made it 8-2.

The White Sox batted around in the first, jumping to a 5-0 lead.

After striking out the first batter of the game, Miley walked third baseman Tyler Saladino. Abreu followed with a single. Cabrera then had an RBI double and right fielder Avisail Garcia had a run-scoring single.

Soto then delivered a two-run double and DH Emilio Bonifacio added an RBI single before Miley finally got the last batter in the order, second baseman Gordon Beckham, on a deep fly to center.

"Not a lot of command in the first inning. A lot of fastballs in the middle of the plate," Miley said. "Really just not a good effort by me making any adjustments that first inning. It's never fun being part of anything like that. In hindsight, you slow down and make a pitch, maybe have a better chance of getting out of it. I just stayed full-throttle."

Advertisement

Sandoval's homer over the Green Monster sliced it to 5-2 in the second.

NOTES: Before the game, the Red Sox retired recently inducted Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez's number. Martinez's number 45 was the eighth retired by the team, but the first-ever worn by a pitcher. ... The Red Sox claimed RHP Jean Machi off waivers from San Francisco on Tuesday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred RHP Clay Buchholz to the 60-day disabled list. ... Red Sox manager John Farrell said 2B Brock Holt, who missed Monday's game with a hyperextended left knee, was available. ... White Sox DH Emilio Bonifacio was back in the lineup after being on the bereavement list since July 23. ... Martinez will be honored in a pregame ceremony in Spanish on Wednesday as part of "Viva Dominicana Night." ... RHP Rick Porcello (5-10) is slated to start for the Red Sox against White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (5-9) on Wednesday.

Latest Headlines