(Getty Images)
Final: Red Sox 3, White Sox 1 - Brayan Bello impressive again, Devers hits mammoth homer
The Red Sox who were losers over the last two games picked up a big win on Friday night over the White Sox from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. Brayan Bello dazzled again on the mound tossing 6 2/3 innings while striking out five. The 24-year-old emptied the tank throwing 104 pitches and giving up one run. Bello blew his fastball by the White Sox slumping lineup. Rafael Devers added a 443 foot mammoth two-run homer to right field in the fourth inning. It was Devers first blast in 10 days and was the ultimate difference maker in the final outcome of the game.
WHO: Red Sox (40-37) at White Sox (32-45)
WHEN: 8:10 p.m.
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago.
SERIES TO DATE: Red Sox series lead 1-0.
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (4-4, 3.49 ERA) vs. RHP Lucas Giolito (5-4, 3.54 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUP
RED SOX
1. Rob Refsnyder LF
2. Justin Turner 1B
3. Masataka Yoshida DH
4. Rafael Devers 3B
5. Adam Duvall RF
6. Connor Wong C
7. Christian Arroyo 2B
8. Kiké Hernández CF
9. David Hamilton SS
SP Brayan Bello
WHITE SOX
1. Andrew Benintendi LF
2. Tim Anderson 2B
3. Luis Robert Jr. CF
4. Eloy Jimenez DH
5. Andrew Vaughn 1B
6. Gavin Sheets RF
7. Jake Burger 3B
8. Elvis Andrus SS
9. Seby Zavala C
SP Lucas Giolito
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox stroll into the Windy City losers of their last two games, splitting a four-game series with the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins. The Sox will now turn their attention to the fourth place White Sox with an opportunity to feast on a team that's struggled dropping seven of their last 10 games.
Brayan Bello makes his 12th start of the season and his first career start against the White Sox, the right-hander is coming off two impressive outings against the Yankees where he hurled seven inning gems in both contests. Bello who continues to dazzle over his last nine starts is pitching to a 2.60 ERA (15 ER/52.0 IP), faces a White Sox lineup who been unable to generate any consistent offensive production for starter Lucas Giolito. The White Sox have scored three runs or fewer in eight of Giolito's starts. Bello has been stingy over his last nine starts surrendering just six hits or fewer and he hasn't allowed the long ball to hurt him, he hasn't given up a homer in his last four outings.
David Hamilton will begin to see more playing time up the middle, he will make his second career start at shortstop. The Sox announced prior to the game that infielder Pablo Reyes was placed on the 10-day injured list with an abdominal strain. Reyes left Thursday afternoon's game against the Twins with the injury, initially Alex Cora initially downplayed the injury but it ultimately landed him on the shelf. The Sox have recalled Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worcester. Dalbec has been tearing the cover off the ball for the WooSox since his last demotion. The power hitting corner infielder batted .296 with nine doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 48 RBI in 54 games.
The Sox will see old friend Andrew Benintendi this weekend, the former Sox left fielder is leading off for the White Sox. Benintendi leads Chicago with a .339 OBP this season while batting .272 with one homer and 18 RBI. The 28-year-old inked a five-year, $75 million contract this offseason with the White Sox. The deal was the largest contract ever dished out by owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
PRE-GAME NOTES
The Sox have also recalled left-hander Chris Murphy from the WooSox, he will swap out with Brandon Walter who made his major league debut on Thursday against the Twins. The southpaw pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while recording two strikeouts. Walter gave the Red Sox length over his appearance allowing Cora to save his bullpen for this weekend's series. Murphy will join the Red Sox for the third time this season, he has pitched in two games and has struck out eight batters in six innings.
COMING UP ON SATURDAY
Saturday: LHP James Paxton (3-1, 3.29 ERA) vs. RHP Lance Lynn (4-8, 6.51 ERA)