Playing through drizzle and sometimes intense rain, the Red Sox snapped a 3-3 tie in the middle innings, scoring twice in the fifth and once in the sixth to post a 6-3 workmanlike victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Xander Bogaerts launched a two-run homer into the Monster Seats in the fifth and a sacrifice fly by Eduardo Nunez accounted for the solo run in the sixth.
David Price, who had hit around in two of the first three innings, settled down and got the Sox through six innings. Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier and Brandon Workman each chipped in with a scoreless inning of relief as the Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games.
Rafael Devers had a four-hit night, including three doubles. Christian Vazquez also had a two-run single.
WHO: Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SEASON SERIES TO DATE: Boston 4-1
SERIES TO DATE: Boston 1-0
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP David Price (4-2, 3.39) vs. RHP Carson Fulmer (1-1, 6.35)
TV/RADIO: NESN/WEEI 93.& FM
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
10:17 Huge night for Devers, who hits a booming double to the triangle, his fourth hit of the night and third two-base hit.
9:31 Looks like Anderson rolled his ankle as he was fielding the ball and getting ready to throw. Can't put any weight on it as he's helped off the field.
9:28 The fourth pitch by Jose Ruiz is a four-seamer just below the middle of the zone and Bogaerts tees it up and hits it into the Monster Seats, giving the Sox the lead again.
9:25 Third hit of the night -- and second double -- for Devers.
9:23 Runner on third, one out, but Price digs out of the hole, striking out Jose Abreu and James McCann, freezing the runner. Nine strikeouts for Price so far, but of course, it comes at a price -- 83 pitches after five innings.
9:06 Strong inning for Price, who fans the side - and does so on 13 pitches.
8:53 Sharp single to left by Vazquez delivers two runs and ties the game.
8:34 Officially, that's a base hit, but it looked like Bogaerts simply didn't get his glove down to field that grounder hit by Jimenez. Another run scores.
8:32 After taking for-ev-er to deliver that pitch -- a changeup over the middle of the plate -- Price gives up a line drive double to left, scoring Anderson.
7:58 Throwing error by Bogaerts puts James McCann at second. Second throwing error by Bogaerts in the last four games, although the wet conditions tonight could have been a factor there.
7:43 Defensive meltdown by the White Sox leads to a run. First, a throwing error by Tim Anderson, enabling Betts to take second. Then, Eloy Jimenez misjudges a fly ball near the line for a gift, run-scoring double for Rafael Devers.
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Betts RF
Devers 3B
Bogaerts SS
Martinez LF
Bradley Jr. CF
Vazquez C
Chavis 1B
Hernandez 2B
Nunez DH
WHITE SOX
Garcia CF
Anderson SS
Abreu 1B
McCann DH
Jimenez LF
Jay RF
Moncada 3B
Rondon 2B
Collins C
WHAT'S UP: The Red Sox, with their second walk-off win in the last four games Monday night, are 9-3 in their last 12 games overall...The walk-off was the team's fifth this season, most in the American League...Among MLB teams, only the Dodgers (six) and Diamondbacks have more...Christian Vazquez has a 10-game hitting streak, tied for the longest active streak in the American League....Andrew Benintendi, who is out of the starting lineup, has a nine-game, the third-longest in the A.L.....Mookie Betts has reached base safely in 15 straight games....Jackie Bradley Jr. didn't have a single homer in his first 38 games this season, but has since hit eight in his last33...During that time, he's slash .301/.406/.548...Since May 20, Bradley is fourth in the A.L. in OBP (.406), slugging percentage (.628), extra-base hits (20) and fifth in OPS (1.034)….Eight of his last 13 hits have been for extra bases with four doubles, a triple and three homers....The Sox are fourth in AL in runs per game (5.36), third in batting average (.264), second in OBP (.341), third in doubles (157) and first in walks (317)…..In Monday's win, the Red Sox last four hitters in their batting order (6-7-8-9) reached base 10 times....J.D. Martinez is hitless in his last 13 at-bats...Eduardo Nunez has a seven-game hitting streak...David Price allowed six earned runs in an inning and a third in his last home start on June 13, but in his other 12 starts this season, has a combined 2.63 ERA...The Sox are 15-3 in his last 18 Fenway starts, during which Price is 11-1 with a 2.63....Jose Abreu is 3-for-23 lifetime against Price while Tim Anderson is 1-for-8 and Yoan Moncada is 1-for-6.....The Sox don't have much history against White Sox starter Carson Fulmer...Michael Chavis is 1-for-1 and both Betts and Rafael Devers are 0-for-2.
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- The Red Sox are undecided on their final roster for London -- they can carry an extra player and bring along two "taxi squad'' members -- but they do know who won't be going. Heath Hembree, on the IL with a forearm strain, won't be ready, though he's expected to re-join the team in Toronto next Tuesday Steve Pearce (back) will also remain on his rehab assignment at Pawtucket and continue to get at-bats, with an eye toward being activated next Tuesday as well.
- Mitch Moreland (quad) has begun baseball activities, but still isn't ready to begin a rehab assignment in the minors.
- Nathan Eovaldi is "making strides, bouncing back better than earlier,'' but will remain stateside, where he can continue with his throwing program.
- Cora revealed that he asked his brother Joey to serve as one of his coaches at the All-Star Game and received permission from MLB (Cora is a coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the N.L.), but his brother had already made plans to go on vacation.
- Anndrew Benintendi got the night off, with J.D. Martinez in left field.