Red Sox Sweep White Sox, Extend Winning Streak To Six Games

The Boston Red Sox defeat the Chicago White Sox, 6-3, in the series finale to sweep the four game series Sunday afternoon.

Doug Fister picked up his second straight win, after tossing 6.1 innings and allowing three earned runs. He struck out seven and walked none.

“Early on in the ballgame when he’s trying to settle in, balls are going to be put in play,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “The fact that they found some balls that found some holes, not real hard-hit balls, but once he was able to get through it, minimize the damage to a certain extent, he settled in and was in very good shape the rest of the way.”

The Red Sox relied on the home run ball, as all but one of their runs came off of home runs. Eduardo Nunez launched one to the deepest part of the ball park, while Chris Young crushed two home runs, a solo in the first inning and a three run shot to pull ahead in the fifth.

“You definitely feel better if you get the job done in that situation,” Young said. “If you don’t get the job done, you feel a little worse than you would. If somebody walks the guy ahead of you, you definitely want to get it done.”

Craig Kimbrel came in to record his 27th save of the season. He allowed a lead off single, but then proceeded to retire the next three batters, including two strikeouts.

The Red Sox hold a three game lead for first in the AL East with the win, as the second place New York Yankees pummeled the Cleveland Indians, 8-1.

It is a much needed winning streak. After scuffling after the all star break, the Red Sox have right the ship but the upcoming schedule will determine whether they will win the pennant race, or have to play a do-or-die wild card game.

The Red Sox face a five-game road trip, the first one in Tampa for a quick two game series, and then a three game series in the Bronx against the Yankees.

The Red Sox will enjoy an off-day on Monday, and send out Chris Sale (13-4, 2.70) Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays will counter with Austin Pruitt (6-2, 5.65).