White Sox outdo Red Sox in Fenway slugfest
BOSTON -- The White Sox came out swinging on Monday night at Fenway Park and never really stopped, notching a 10-8 victory over the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series.
"Hopefully, this run is a thing, a sign of things to come, if you will," said White Sox starting pitcher John Danks, who did not factor in the decision. "It's going to be how we play the rest of the season and hopefully get back in it."
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After Joe Kelly gave up four runs in the top of the first, Boston came storming back with two in the first and two more in the second and actually led, 7-6, after five.
But the White Sox kept coming, and finally took the lead for good on an RBI single by Tyler Flowers in the seventh. Adam Eaton added an insurance run with an RBI single later in the inning.
Eaton had three hits, and Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu also had multi-hit games. Mookie Betts led the Red Sox with a three-hit night, and David Ortiz clubbed a homer to center, his third in the last two games.
"Bottom line of this game tonight is that we couldn't put up enough zeros," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.
Video: CWS@BOS: Papi hammers a two-run homer to center
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Changing the opening credits: The White Sox didn't wait long to jump on Kelly. Eaton and Tyler Saladino opened with triples, followed by Cabrera's double, and two more runs scored on a Kelly fielding error and an Alexei Ramirez double play. The 4-0 start cut the club's first-inning deficit to a dismal 72-36.
"We've been taking our licks in the first inning so far this year," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "But for these guys to come out swinging and get something for the pitchers before they go out has been nice." More >
Video: CWS@BOS: Saladino drives in Eaton on an RBI triple
Kelly shaky again: The month-long stint in Triple-A didn't seem to help Kelly. For the second straight start since returning, the righty took the loss. In this one, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and five runs. This was the third straight start, and fourth in the last five, that Kelly has allowed four runs or more.
"It is what it is right now," said Kelly, who has a 5.94 ERA. "Something that I just have to keep fighting. I'm not going to give up out there. Just going to keep pitching." More >
Video: CWS@BOS: Farrell discusses Kelly, Napoli's ejection
What a relief: Four White Sox relievers combined to shut down a Red Sox attack that scored seven by the fifth inning against Danks. Matt Albers threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, Jake Petricka was dominant in finishing off the seventh and the eighth, and closer David Robertson survived a 33-pitch ninth to get the save.
"You can single anyone of them out there," Danks said. "They all did a great job. To throw up five scoreless or whatever it was they did, you know they did a good job. That's what they've done all year."
Video: CWS@BOS: Robertson locks down the save in the 9th
NAPOLI THROWN OUT
Home-plate umpire Toby Basner ejected Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli in the first inning for throwing his helmet, which grazed Basner's leg, following a called strike three. Farrell briefly marched onto the field to argue Basner's decision before returning to the dugout. Napoli, whose name has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate, was replaced by Daniel Nava at first.
"There was no intent on the equipment hitting him. Equipment hits an umpire, it's their immediate prerogative to eject the player," said Farrell. "We needed Nap to stay in the game. Unfortunately, the helmet hits him, and he's ejected." More >
Video: CWS@BOS: Napoli tossed after striking out in the 1st
QUOTABLE
"Just hit the ball where they ain't and run like I'm 5-8 and try to get in there. That's all I do." -- Eaton, on his approach on offense
UNDER FURTHER REVIEW
The Red Sox lost a challenge in the sixth inning when an out at first base stood as called after review. With no outs, Betts hit a comebacker to Albers, who flipped it to Abreu just before Boston's center fielder reached the bag. The review lasted approximately one minute and 43 seconds. Farrell has gone 13-for-34 on replay challenges this season.
Video: CWS@BOS: Out call on Betts stands after challenge
WHAT'S NEXT
White Sox: Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to make the start Tuesday night at Fenway Park, and as of Monday night, the right-hander looked good to go. The only thing that would stop a Samardzija start is if the White Sox decided to trade the free-agent-to-be. Samardzija has gone nine straight starts where he has worked at least seven innings. First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. CT.
Red Sox: Lefty Wade Miley, who has pitched well in his last two starts, takes the ball in Tuesday's 7:10 p.m. ET contest at Fenway Park. Miley earned a win in his only previous career start against the White Sox, allowing four hits and two runs over seven innings.
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