The Red Sox again denied the Yankees their champagne Monday with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
In a game highlighted by the 100th RBIs for both David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre, Clay Buccholz continued a late-season Cy Young push with eight dominant innings. Allowing only seven baserunners while striking out five batters, Chicago could only score a lone run thanks to an infield single, hit by pitch, wild pitch, and sacrifice fly. Not exactly a big inning.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, were busy putting up sixteen hits. Marco Scutaro played the role of leadoff man to a tee, reaching base three times and scoring three runs, while Victor Martinez, Adrian Beltre, and David Ortiz combined for nine hits (four by Beltre) and all six RBI.
It wasn't a perfect game. David Ortiz got thrown out at home, while Ryan Kalish was gunned down at second. And Jed Lowrie only managed to reach base twice, bringing his season OPS down to .871, but otherwise it was about all you could ask for from a team without much to play for.
The Sox go once more unto the breach tonight as John Lackey tries to keep his strong month going.