Anderson sprains ankle in Chicago White Sox's loss

Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) - Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer, David Price struck out nine and the Red Sox beat the White Sox 6-3 Tuesday on a rainy night at Fenway Park.

The start of the game was delayed 24 minutes because of rain, which continued to fall - heavily at times - through the first five innings. The slick conditions may have contributed to a frightening moment in the fifth inning when Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson sprained his right ankle on a fielding play. Anderson was carried off the field on the shoulders of manager Rick Renteria and a trainer.

The rain's effects were apparent throughout the night, leading to funny hops skipping off the wet field and a bat flying into the stands after it slipped out of Boston catcher Christian Vazquez. A fan caught the bat and was not injured. Anderson was clearly hurt, although the White Sox would say later that X-rays were negative and Anderson was out with a sprain.

Price (5-2) worked through the conditions for six innings, holding Chicago to three runs on eight hits. Brandon Workman pitched the ninth for his third save.

Jose Ruiz (0-1) took the loss after allowing Bogaerts' two-run shot in the fifth, breaking a 3-all tie.

Rafael Devers was 4-for-4 with an RBI for Boston. He led off the fifth with his second double of the game and Bogaerts followed with a drive out to center. The celebration was interrupted a few minutes later when Anderson was hurt while throwing out J.D. Martinez.

Jon Jay was 3-for-4 for Chicago and Anderson had a pair of hits before his injury.

Vazquez extended his career-high hitting streak to 11 games with a two-run single in the third, tying it at 3-all.

Eduardo Nunez drove in a run for Boston with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Carson Fulmer was Chicago's "opener," getting his first start of the season and pitching two innings. Fulmer allowed one unearned run on two hits and a walk, striking out three.

SLICK STUFF

Players for both team had difficulties dealing with the conditions.

Vazquez lost his grip while taking a swing in the second inning and the bat twirled all the way to a fan sitting several rows behind Chicago's dugout. The bat was moving slow enough that the fan caught it and was not harmed, smiling and waiving when the fans gave him a rousing cheer.

The series is the only visit the White Sox will make to Boston this summer and postponing the game for a doubleheader Wednesday was unlikely, given the Red Sox were scheduled to fly Wednesday night to London for a pair of games this weekend against the New York Yankees.

TRAINER'S ROOM

White Sox: 2B Yolmer Sanchez was running a high fever and went back to the team hotel, Renteria said. . After Anderson was helped to the dugout, Leury Garcia moved in from center field to play short and Ryan Cordell came off the bench and took over in center.

Red Sox: RHP Heath Hembree (right elbow strain) and 1B/DH Mitch Moreland (right quadriceps strain) will not travel for this weekend's games in London, manager Alex Cora said. 1B Steve Pearce (low back strain) is also unlikely to make the trip. Cora said as much as he'd love to have a healthy roster, it's a long trip and he doesn't want risk any players by rushing their return. "We've got to be smart and that's the challenges of the whole thing," Cora said.

UP NEXT

White Sox right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (4-7, 6.23 ERA) faces Boston lefty Chris Sale (3-7). The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start Wednesday.