Game 47: Red Sox at White Sox - Can't get swept
Contributing Writer
If the Boston Red Sox (27-19) want to avoid a Southside sweep, they’ll need their best pitcher to do what he’s done all year. The Red Sox will try to get the bats going behind Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.78 ERA) tonight against the Chicago White Sox (21-23) at U.S. Cellular Field. Boston’s bats haven’t come through with the clutch hit this series and Chicago has won the first two games 6-4 and 3-1.
Here is Boston’s lineup for its final game on this nine-game road trip (first pitch – 8:10 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Gomes, LF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Nava, RF
7. Middlebrooks, 3B
8. Drew, SS
9. Saltalamacchia, C
Buchholz, P
Hector Santiago (1-2, 2.78 ERA) replaces scheduled starter Chris Sale in the White Sox rotation. Santiago is pitching on three days’ rest and has given up nine runs in his last two outings.
Almost a no-no
Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh before a broken-bat single by David Ortiz ended it. The Red Sox managed to strand 13 runners Tuesday night. That stat was aided by Will Middlebrooks and Stephen Drew striking out with bases loaded in the seventh. The next inning, Ortiz grounded into a double play with Jacoby Ellsbury on third. Dustin Pedroia went hitless (0-for-4), ending his 12-game hitting streak. Boston ended the night with just four hits.
Looking for a W
Buchholz began the season with six straight wins, but he’s had three straight no-decisions in his last three outings. He attempts to get back on track and end the Red Sox short two-game losing streak. A win tonight would also give Boston a 6-3 record on the road trip.
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