White Sox walk away with 7-5 win over Red Sox

Posted September 05, 2010 11:00 pm

BOSTON - If the White Sox end up winning the AL Central, Sunday's victory may be a game that's talked about as the key to their late-season run.

Gordon Beckham's bases-loaded walk with two outs pushed the White Sox ahead in a 4-run ninth inning that lifted Ozzie Guillen's squad to their sixth straight win and an improbable 7-5 comeback victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

"It definitely feels like it's one of those ones we snatched away," Paul Konerko said.

The win completed a sweep of the three-game weekend series and came after the White Sox trailed 5-3 entering the ninth inning and had two outs. The Twins remained 31/2 games ahead of the Sox in the AL Central.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon (5-6) was one out away from the save, but Carlos Quentin's bloop RBI double to center cut the score to 5-4 before Ramon Castro tied it with a single.

"That's a huge game for us," Guillen said. "I don't want to say this could be the biggest game for us, but (I'm) the happiest with how we did it."

Alex Rios walked leading off the ninth against Papelbon, stole second and scored when Quentin's bloop fell in front of diving centerfielder Ryan Kalish and skipped behind him. Quentin was alert and went to second when it was left uncovered as the middle infielders had headed to the outfield. Castro's liner to the right-center gap also fell in front of a diving Kalish.

"(Kalish) just couldn't get to it. He tried to make a great play," Boston manager Terry Francona said of Quentin's hit.

Papelbon walked Alexei Ramirez before Dustin Richardson relieved and walked Mark Teahen. Robert Manuel entered and issued bases-loaded walks to Beckham and Juan Pierre, making 7-5.

The White Sox also had comebacks in the final two games of a three-game sweep in Cleveland.

"It shows we're going to go hard this last month," Rios said. "We've been down a couple of times (this week)."

Guillen was glad to see Beckham patient facing a young pitcher in a tight spot.

"He fouled a couple off and waited for his pitch. The kid was kind of wild," Guillen said. "A lot of times when you're a hitter you're anxious and you want to win it."

Papelbon gave up 4 runs, 2 hits and 2 walks in 11/3 innings.

"I'm coming in, in a situation where every little thing matters," Papelbon said. "Trying to come into a ball game and get the hardest outs of a ball game and every little thing matters. Bloop hit, ball right off the glove. Those things turned into being big things for them. An 0-2 walk and a bloop hit. I just didn't finish the job."

Scott Linebrink (3-1) pitched 1 inning of relief for the win, and Matt Thornton got the final three outs for his sixth save.

Red Sox second baseman Yamaico Navarro can't handle the throw as the White Sox's Juan Pierre steals second base during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on Sunday. Associated Press

Sox scouting report

White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park

TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Thursday; Channel 26 Tuesday; Comcast SportsNet-Plus Wednesday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Edwin Jackson (12-9, 3.95 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (10-9, 3.45) Monday at 12:05 p.m.; TBA vs. Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.61) Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.; TBA vs. Jeremy Bonderman (7-9, 5.25) Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.; TBA vs. Rick Porcello (8-11, 5.20) Thursday at 12:05 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox have some question marks with the starting rotation due to Saturday's day-night doubleheader at Boston. John Danks could go Wednesday on three days' rest, followed by Gavin Floyd on Thursday. Freddy Garcia came out of last Wednesday's start at Cleveland with a stiff lower back, but he should be able to pitch Tuesday. The Sox are 4-1 at Comerica Park this season and they've won seven of their last nine over the Tigers. Jackson has 10 or more strikeouts in each of his last 3 starts. Paul Konerko is batting .421 (16-for-38) with 3 HRs and 8 RBI vs. Detroit this year.

Next: Kansas City Royals, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field

- Scot Gregor