All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 6-1 win over the White Sox, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Sale's posts best start to date: It was fitting that Chris Sale enjoyed his strongest outing of the season on the south side of Chicago, where he began his career. Sale was almost untouchable over six shutout innings, fanning 10 and allowing only three hits. The three hits -- a single and two doubles -- marked the only time the White Sox were able to get the ball out of the infield against Sale, who didn't allow a single flyout. The only real challenge for Sale came in the fifth inning when Jose Rondon led off with an opposite field double and was soon joined on base by Welington Castillo, who took a slider off the top of the shoe. But with two on and no out, Sale reached base for something extra and promptly struck out the next three hitters of the inning in succession -- the first looking, the next two swinging -- while stranding both baserunners. Over the course of his six innings, the White Sox got only three hitters to second base -- Rondon on his double, James McCann with a double to left in the sixth, and Leury Garcia, who took second when Michael Chavis made a wild throw on a double play turn.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1124492469733863424
Devers bounces back: On Thursday night, third baseman Rafael Devers committed a costly error in the ninth which led to the White Sox storming back for a walk-off win. On Friday night, Devers didn't take long to make up for that misplay, crushing a pitch to straightaway center in the first inning with two teammates aboard, staking the Sox to a quick 3-0 lead. It was his first homer of the season and a reminder of what Devers offers, since he turned and hammered a 94 mph fastball on the outer half and hit one of the longest homers of the season to dead center. Given that Devers has made great leaps at the plate this year -- cutting his strikeout rate considerably while showing more patience -- and the raw power he possesses, it seems incredible that it took 33 games for him to hit his first one out. He later added a single to right and scored another run in the sixth.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1124469609418113029
Lin hurt: The Red Sox have been fairly fortunate when it comes to injuries this year, especially compared to a team like the Yankees, who have seen their roster decimated by injuries. But the Sox have had their depth hit by injuries, with Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez both spending time on the Injured List, and now it Tzu-Wei Lin will join them. Lin, who got a rare start in center field, got his knee caught in the dirt as he tried (unsuccessfully) to steal second base in the second inning. He stayed down on the ground for a while and was limping noticeably when he finally came off the field. He didn't remain in the game, as the Sox put Steve Pearce in left and shifted Andrew Benintendi to center field. After the game, Alex Cora revealed that Lin had a sprained knee and will return to Boston for further tests. Lin will be replaced by Nunez, who will be activated for Saturday's game.
SECOND GUESS
The Red Sox led 6-1 when White Sox manager Rick Renteria opted to have a position player - Rondon -- pitch the top of the ninth, a strange call to say the least. Had the score been 10-1, it might have been understandable. Then again, this is what happens when managers -- and Renteria is hardly alone here -- routinely run through their relievers after an inning or work, night after night.
TWO UP
Michael Chavis: It's clear by now that Chavis doesn't get cheated on his home run swings. He hit his fourth homer of the year, and like two of the previous three, this was one was well over 400 feet -- 459 to be exact, making it the longest home run by a Red Sox player this season.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1124497813239488512
Heath Hembree: Hembree had one of his best outings of the year, working aggressively in taking over for Sale in the seventh, retiring the White Sox in order with two strikeouts.
ONE DOWN
Mookie Betts: The reigning MVP has been torrid at the plate, but on Friday, he cooled considerably, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"It's nice to feel like I'm back on track and actually help this team win a ballgame.'' Chris Sale
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Josh Smith became the 20th pitcher to appear in a game for the Red Sox this year with a scoreless ninth inning.
- For the second time in his last three starts, Chris Sale posted double figures in strikeouts.