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 Despite entering the game with a 5-11 record and a 5.81 ERA,
Porcello matched zeros with White Sox ace left-hander Chris Sale for
seven scoreless innings after being reinstated from the 15-day
disabled list.
Porcello struck out five without a walk and scattered five hits to
give the Red Sox a glimpse at the kind of talent that convinced them
to give him a four-year, $82.5 million extension last winter.
Sale also worked seven scoreless innings and took a no-decision
after striking out seven.
The game stayed 0-0 until the eighth, when Boston first baseman
Travis Shaw (1-for-4) launched a two-run homer off White Sox
right-hander Nate Jones. The Red Sox added a run in the eighth on a
walk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.
Boston left-hander Robbie Ross threw a scoreless eighth to preserve
the lead and right-hander Junichi Tazawa closed it out in the ninth
for the save.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Red
Sox (58-69), who also got a good night from second baseman Josh
Rutledge (2-for-3, RBI).
Melky Cabrera went 3-for-4 to lead Chicago (59-66).
If Sale had struck out 14-plus, he would have matched former Red Sox
ace Pedro Martinez as the only players in major league history with
at least 14 strikeouts in three straight starts.
Sale didn't reach that feat but set a career high for strikeouts in
a season. Sale, whose previous best was 226 in 2013, has 229 and
counting with an estimated seven starts remaining.
Sale didn't rack up as many strikeouts as he did in his previous two
outings (29 combined) but gave the Red Sox some problems. He
stranded runners in the first, third, fourth and seventh, and left
runners in scoring position in the third and fourth to keep the game
scoreless.
In the third, he struck out Boston designated hitter Hanley Ramirez
to end the inning with the bases loaded.
Porcello nearly matched Sale's pitching line in his first start
since being put on the DL retroactive to July 30 with a right
triceps strain.
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The last time Porcello pitched for the Red Sox, he allowed six runs
(five earned) in two innings against the White Sox on July 29 at
Fenway Park, taking the loss. This time, he was in complete control.
Porcello didn't allow a hit through the first three innings,
stranded runners in the next three innings and then retired the side
in order in the seventh.
Shaw's two-out homer to lead off the eighth put Porcello in line to
get the win and the Red Sox's bullpen made sure of it.
NOTES: Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo didn't have 3B Pablo
Sandoval and DH David Ortiz in the lineup for the finale of the
series. Lovullo said he wanted to give the veterans a day off ahead
of a scheduled off day Thursday. ... Lovullo said RHP Clay Buchholz
will be re-evaluated Sept. 2 at the end of a six-week shutdown after
a platelet-rich plasma into his right elbow on July 22. There is a
chance Buchholz might not pitch again this season, but that will be
discussed after the shutdown period. ... White Sox manager Robin
Ventura didn't start rookie OF Trayce Thompson because the Red Sox
had RHP Rick Porcello on the mound. Thompson, who singled, doubled
and tripled on Tuesday, is playing mostly against left-handed
starters. He's 12-for-23 (.522) with two home runs and five RBIs
since being recalled Aug. 3 from Triple-A Charlotte.
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