Gonzalez powers Red Sox to 5-1 win over White Sox

[July 17, 2012]  BOSTON (AP) -- Adrian Gonzalez spoiled Kevin Youkilis' return to Fenway Park, hitting a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.

Boston traded Youkilis on June 24, sending the three-time All-Star and cash to Chicago for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and a minor league pitcher. Youkilis went 3 for 4 with two doubles in his first game back at his longtime home.

Carl Crawford returned to Boston's lineup after missing the entire season with left elbow and wrist injuries, going 1 for 3 with a walk.

Crawford and David Ortiz opened the eighth with consecutive walks against Leyson Septimo (0-1). Gonzalez then hit a drive into the seats above the Green Monster for just his seventh homer of the season.

Vicente Padilla (3-0) worked one inning for the win, and Alfredo Aceves finished the game.

Ortiz had a walk and single, giving him 10 straight with at least one hit and a walk to set a club record. Ted Williams held the previous mark, going nine straight in 1950.

Youkilis received a warm welcome when he walked up to the plate before his first at-bat and the familiar chant of "Yooooouk" echoed throughout the 100-year- old Fenway. The burly third baseman took off his helmet, turned and waved to all corners.

He then singled up the middle against Aaron Cook. Adam Dunn followed with a grounder to second and Youkilis kept going toward an uncovered third with a shifted infield. First baseman Gonzalez then fired the ball into left for an error, allowing Youkilis to score.

Crawford singled in the bottom half and scored on Gonzalez's single to right.

Both starters were solid. Cook allowed five hits in seven innings and is 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled after getting spiked and cutting his left knee covering home plate.

Chicago's Dylan Axelrod matched his career high with eight strikeouts and yielded seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.

The Red Sox, who took two of three at Tampa Bay over the weekend, opened a seven-game homestand.

NOTES: Ortiz looked as if he was limping heading back to the dugout after Gonzalez's homer. ... White Sox LHP John Danks, out with a mild muscle strain in his shoulder, played long toss and was encouraged by the results. "I feel like I'm making progress," he said before the game. "(Tuesday) we're going to try doing the same, Wednesday off and Thursday push it back a little farther. Thursday will tell a lot." He went on the 15-day disabled list in May and figured he would be back by now. ... Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury played his fourth straight game since coming off the DL Friday against Tampa Bay. He was sidelined since mid-April with an injured right shoulder.

[Associated Press]

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