Red Sox Top White Sox in 13-Inning Battle

The Chicago White Sox faced off the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, aiming to avoid a series sweep. The game extended to 13 innings, culminating in a 12-11 Red Sox win, witnessed by 37,082 fans.

White Sox manager Will Venable acknowledged the challenge saying, “We saw firsthand they are the hardest team to beat.” The White Sox endured a series sweep, marking their first winless season series against the Red Sox. The game’s loss was particularly difficult, with Chase Meidroth contributing two home runs.

The Red Sox extended their winning streak to eight games, with a record of 31-5 in their last 36 matches. Joey Bart, a recent addition to the White Sox roster, suffered a fractured hand during the game. Venable confirmed, “It’s a fracture and an IL stint is expected.”

Despite the loss, the White Sox (59-55) maintained a three-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians and the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. They continue the season with a new series against the Guardians.

On Thursday, the White Sox appeared ready for a win. They scored four early runs in the third inning, with Meidroth securing their first season lead against the Red Sox. Colson Montgomery and a Red Sox error added to their score.

The Red Sox responded with Connor Wong’s home run, cutting the lead in half. Sam Antonacci’s pinch-hit RBI double in the fourth rebuilt the White Sox’s advantage, but three Red Sox runs tied the game.

Pitcher Luis Castillo allowed five runs and six hits through four innings in his White Sox debut. “I tip my cap to the hitters,” Castillo said through an interpreter.

The fifth inning saw the White Sox leading again due to a fielding error, but the Red Sox quickly narrowed the gap with a Masataka Yoshida double.

Reliever Grant Taylor’s efforts helped maintain a White Sox advantage, escaping a seventh-inning jam with key strikeouts.

Into extra innings, Meidroth’s home run off Aroldis Chapman in the 10th gave the White Sox a brief lead. “He got ahead of me, but I found a pitch I could hit,” Meidroth commented.

Both teams scored consistently through extra innings, with the Red Sox ultimately securing a victory with Caleb Durbin’s RBI single.

“It’s a tough series,” Venable admitted. He emphasized the need for improvement against strong teams like Tampa Bay and Boston, “We’ll go back to the drawing board.”