The Red Sox won their fifth-straight game thanks to two, two-run home runs by Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., and another strong start by Drew Pomeranz.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning, Benintendi rocketed a ball over the Sox bullpen. Bradley smoked one of his own over the Chicago bullpen and down a ramp to give Pomeranz all the runs he would need.
Pomeranz (11-4) tied his career-high win total from last season, and has won a career-high five consecutive decisions. He was nearly flawless after Tim Anderson led off the game with a home run. Pomeranz (100 pitches, 68 strikes) allowed just the one run on seven hits and struck out eight.
The crucial stretch of the game came in the seventh when the White Sox had runners on first and second with one out. Blaine Boyer entered for Pomeranz and Anderson hit a sinking liner to right field. Most times, that would be a hit, but Mookie Betts was positioned perfectly and quickly got to the ball. He doubled off Alen Hanson off first to end the threat.
Looking forward to being with you for this one.
GAME NO.: 111
WHO: Red Sox (61-49) vs Chicago White Sox (41-66)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
TV: NESN
RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM); Spanish: WCEC (1490 AM/103.7 FM)
PITCHERS: LHP Drew Pomeranz (10-4, 3.46 ERA) vs. RHP James Shields (2-3, 6.19)
BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday
MEDIA NOTES: Red Sox / White Sox
SERIES TO DATE: The Red Sox have won four-straight against Chicago, including the first two of this series at Fenway, to lead the season series 4-1. On Friday night, the Red Sox overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Mitch Moreland had a two-out, two-strike solo home run in the 11th for his third career walk-off homer (first with the Red Sox).
WHERE THINGS STAND: The Red Sox have vaulted to a three-game lead over the Yankees in the A.L. East with a four-game winning streak. The White Sox have lost four in a row and eight of their last 10 and sit in the basement of the A.L. Central by 18 games.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Pomeranz has won a career-high four consecutive decisions (seven starts, 2.40 ERA, 11 ER/41.1 IP). ... Shields is 9-13 with a 4.40 ERA in his career against the Red Sox.
STAT OF NOTE: The Red Sox have eight walk-off wins this season, including a major league-high five since the All-Star break. Seven off the Sox’ last 15 wins at Fenway have come in walk-off fashion, all since June 12.
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Betts RF
Holt 2B
Benintendi LF
Nunez SS
Devers 3B
Young DH
Moreland 1B
Vazquez C
Bradley Jr. CF
WHITE SOX
Anderson SS
Saladino 3B
Abreu 1B
Smith C
Garcia RF
Moncada 2B
Delmonico LF
Engel CF
Hanson DH
PREGAME
- Filed a quick notebook to give updates on Hanley Ramirez, Xander Bogaerts, David Price, Dustin Pedroia and Joe Kelly.
- Brock Holt is at second base. Eduardo Nunez shortstop for Bogaerts.
- Joe Kelly seemed to be excited to be back. He thinks he should have no limitations as far as usage, like back-to-back situations, but John Farrell said they'll take it slow.