Payton Tolle dominates as Red Sox extend winning streak to four with 8-1 win over White Sox

The Red Sox are playing some of their best baseball of the season.

Continuing their road trip in Chicago, Boston opened a three-game series against the White Sox by riding another stellar start from Payton Tolle and a pair of second-inning home runs to an 8-1 victory. The win extended the club’s winning streak to four games and improved the Red Sox to 9-2 over their last 11 contests.

The rookie left-hander turned in another dominant performance, tossing six scoreless innings while holding the White Sox to just two hits, walking one and striking out six. Both hits came off the bat of White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci.

Tolle retired the final seven hitters he faced and 15 of the last 16, never facing more than four batters in an inning. It marked yet another impressive outing for the rookie, who continues to give the Red Sox exactly what they need every fifth day.

Boston gave Tolle all the support he needed in the second inning.

Andruw Monasterio opened the scoring with a solo home run before Ceddanne Rafaela joined the party a few batters later, launching a two-run shot to give the Red Sox a quick 3-0 lead.

The Red Sox kept applying pressure against White Sox left-hander Noah Schultz. Jarren Duran led off the fourth with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and raced home on Connor Wong’s perfectly executed squeeze bunt to make it 4-0.

Schultz lasted five innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out three. The outing raised the rookie’s ERA to 6.00. Through his first 10 major league starts, Schultz has gone 2-5 with a 1.42 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 48 innings, but command continues to be an issue, as he’s walked 13.8% of the hitters he’s faced.

After Tolle exited, the White Sox mounted their only serious threat of the night.

Danny Coulombe entered to start the seventh and immediately ran into trouble, allowing a walk and back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. Former Red Sox prospect Kyle Teel drove in Chicago’s lone run on a fielder’s choice before Chad Tracy turned to Justin Slaten with runners on the corners and one out.

The right-hander struck out both hitters he faced, escaping the jam and preserving Boston’s 4-1 lead. Coulombe, meanwhile, continues to search for consistency, as he now owns a 4.58 ERA and has struggled over the last several weeks.

Garrett Whitlock followed with a perfect eighth inning before the Red Sox put the game out of reach in the ninth.

After Brandon Eisert issued a pair of walks, Willson Contreras ripped a two-run double down the left-field line. Romy González followed with an RBI double of his own before Duran capped the four-run inning with an RBI single, extending Boston’s lead to 8-1.

The victory improved the Red Sox to 41-48, moving them within seven games of .500 after sitting 14 games under just two weeks ago on June 24. Boston also climbed to 31-31 under Tracy, and coupled with Baltimore’s 5-2 loss to the Cubs, moved out of last place in the American League East for the first time since May 23.

The Red Sox will look to secure their second consecutive series victory Wednesday night when Jake Bennett (3-3, 3.10 ERA) takes the mound against White Sox right-hander Davis Martin (9-3, 3.08 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET.

Contreras Earns All-Star Nod

Contreras is officially headed to Philadelphia.

The Red Sox announced Tuesday that Contreras has been added to the American League All-Star roster as an injury replacement for Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who will miss the game because of a sore back. Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz will replace Guerrero in the starting lineup.

Contreras was one of the biggest omissions when the initial All-Star rosters were announced Saturday, making his selection a well-deserved reward for one of the best first-half performances by an American League first baseman.

“It means a lot to me and my family,” Contreras said Tuesday before the Red Sox' win. “I’m happy that I was recognized and I can’t wait to be there with my family and brother (William, a catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers who will be part of the National League team). It will be nice.”

With Contreras’ addition, the Red Sox now have three All-Stars. Closer Aroldis Chapman earned his ninth career selection, while left-hander Ranger Suarez was named an All-Star for the second time.

Suarez’s availability, however, remains in question after leaving Sunday’s start against the Angels with left adductor tightness. According to MassLive’s Sean McAdam, Suarez played catch on flat ground Tuesday and is feeling better, though it’s still unclear whether he’ll be able to make his scheduled start Saturday or participate in next week’s All-Star Game.

Contreras may not be done collecting invitations.

The veteran first baseman said Tuesday he’s hopeful he’ll also receive an opportunity to compete in Monday night’s Home Run Derby. So far, only Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and Rays third baseman Junior Caminero have officially committed, leaving six spots still available.

A Red Sox official told reporters Tuesday night the club was still unsure whether Contreras would ultimately participate if invited.

Boston hasn’t had a player compete in the Home Run Derby since 2011, when both Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz took part. Ortiz won the event the previous year in Anaheim.

Despite being a three-time All-Star with the Cubs (2018, 2019 and 2022), Contreras has never competed in the Derby.

Entering Tuesday’s game, Contreras ranked first among American League first basemen in batting average (.284), tied for second in home runs (20), second in slugging percentage (.542), and third in both RBIs (59) and OPS (.920)— numbers that made it difficult to justify leaving him off the original All-Star roster.

Eaton Suspension Reduced

The Red Sox are still awaiting word as to how long they'll be without Contreras for his part of the on-field antics against Cade Cavalli last week. 

Nate Eaton’s three-game suspension has been reduced to two, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. He began his suspension on Tuesday and the Sox will play down a man for the time being.