Lester and the Bats Dominate White Sox For Once

No team has given the Red Sox as much trouble this season as the Chicago White Sox. Tonight, the Red Sox finally broke out against the lighter shade Sox, winning ten to two behind a dominating Jon Lester and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis.

In his second start since returning from the DL, Jon Lester was everything a Sox fan could ask for. He went eight innings striking out eight and walking just one. He scattered four hits, two of which went for solo home runs giving the White Sox their only runs. Lester was remarkably efficient all night, throwing just 94 pitches. Any doubt about Jon Lester should be gone with this performance.

Phil Humber seemed to be able to match Lester for a brief time, holding the Sox scoreless with just one hit through the first four innings. Everything came apart for Humber in the fifth inning. Carl Crawford singled then promptly stole second and advanced to third on a poor throw from A.J. Pierzynski. Saltalamacchia drove him in with a double to begin the assault. Josh Reddick then reached on a bunt that Humber could not field and Scutaro got Salty in with a sacrifice fly. After a hit by Jacoby Ellsbury and an other sacrifice fly by Dustin Pedroia, Humber intentionally walked Gonzalez to face Youkilis. Youk his a line drive that looked as if it might end the inning, but instead was deflected by third baseman Brent Morel. That ended Humber’s outing with the Sox up four to nothing.

The Red Sox bats were not done though. Adrian Gonzalez piled on the runs in the ninth with a two run homer and Kevin Youkilis added a solo shot to follow. Scutaro and Salty drove in another run each, helping the Sox reach double digit runs yet again.

The bottom of the ninth saw Dan Wheeler take the mound with nearly every conceivable back up behind him. Newly acquired infielder Mike Aviles got to show of his new uniform taking Kevin Youkilis’ place at third for the final three outs.

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