CHICAGO -- Will the final road trip before the All-Star break be the one that vaults the Red Sox back into contention?
Through the first four games of a nine-game journey -- all wins -- it is certainly possible.
Behind six scoreless innings from Payton Tolle and early home runs by Andruw Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela, the Red Sox rolled to a 8-1 victory over the much-improved White Sox on Tuesday night at Rate Field.
By ripping off nine wins in the last 11 games, Boston (41-48) has pulled to within seven games of .500 for the first time since May 23.
“We’re playing good,” All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras said. “I think we are carrying really good energy right now. We know we have to play the 27 outs. I'm glad we, as a group of hitters, are doing a great job. And the bullpen and the starting pitching, they're doing great. We have to keep the same pace.”
In an auspicious start on the second leg of their three-city trip, here is what mattered most.
1. Road trip HR binge continues
The long ball -- or lack thereof -- has been an issue for the Red Sox this season, at least for players other than Contreras. But in the first four games of this road trip, Boston has banged seven homers, including a pair in each of the last three games.
Monasterio (solo) and Rafaela (two-run) did the honors in this one, both going deep in the third inning to give Boston a 3-0 lead. In all, the Sox have cleared the wall in 19 of their last 24 games, totaling 31 homers in that span.
“We knew we had to start swinging the bats better. We have for a while,” interim manager Chad Tracy said. “Some balls are leaving the ballpark, which helps a lot. Obviously, Mona and Rafa with some swings early to get us the lead.”
2. Tolle’s rebound performance
Coming off his worst start of the season, when he gave up six runs on seven hits and three walks while getting just nine outs in a loss to the Nationals last Wednesday, all eyes were on how Tolle would respond in what otherwise has been a strong rookie season. The power lefty answered by mowing through the White Sox, allowing just two hits during his 91-pitch performance. Tolle walked one and struck out six, lowering his ERA to 3.14.
“Just a recalibration, a little reset,” Tolle said. “I think I needed it a little bit.”
3. Contreras clutches up on defense
While Contreras was added to the American League All-Star team on Tuesday, mainly due to his breakout season offensively, his defense at first base has been stellar all season. When the White Sox had the bases loaded with none out in the seventh, Kyle Teel smoked a grounder that Contreras snared on the dive before firing to second for a key forceout. In an inning that could have gotten away from Boston, the play by Contreras helped minimize the damage to one run.
“Big play to keep the double play in order and prevent the second run from scoring,” Contreras said. “It was a huge play in that inning and I'm glad we were able to keep the game right there.”
Contreras also had another productive night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. He has been surging over the last week, going 9-for-25 (.360) with three homers and 11 RBIs since June 29.
“It feels like this week has been good,” Contreras said. “I'm trying to get pitches in the strike zone. I'm trying to stick to my pitch. Trying to lay off tough pitches out of the strike zone. That has been the difference.”