May 25

Coming into tonight, Trevor Story is the first player to hit at least six long balls and drive in at least 17 runs in five games since Sammy Sosa 20 years ago. Of course, Story is not suspected of using steroids at this time. We have a 30-minute rain delay before getting underway in Chicago. Eventually, Giolito pitches for Chicago against Hill. The Red Sox put two on with two out in the top of the first as they look to take a quick lead again. Verdugo hits a bloop single into left to score Martinez as Boston does indeed go on top early at 1-0. A groundout means that the lead is not extended. Giolito throws 27 pitches, but it’s a near-certainty that he will be back for the next inning. It’s still 1-0 come the bottom of the fifth, when Abreu leads off with a double to the right-field corner, followed by an error that puts Pollock at first. This error is costly when Jake Burger takes Rich Hill deep to left to give the White Sox a 3-1 lead with his third of the year. Hernández makes a Superman-like dive in left-center for the out that ends the fifth inning.

Despite what the score may say, as of the bottom of the sixth, the Red Sox are out-hitting the White Sox 5-2. The White Sox put two on with two out in that inning, but a strikeout ends the inning. The Red Sox load the bases with two out in the top of the seventh, giving Verdugo the chance for his first career grand slam, but he grounds out and wastes the best chance the Red Sox have had so far. All we can do is look back on this inning and ponder what might have been. Chicago puts two on with two out in the bottom of the inning, but Anderson grounds into a force out to end the inning and keep things close. The plate umpire’s strike zone opens up in the top of the eighth, so he clearly wants to go home. The Red Sox put two on with two out in the ninth, but the go-ahead run pops out after two fielders nearly collide in an effort to get to the ball. The White Sox hand Boston a 3-1 loss to snap the win streak. This was not a loss that Rich Hill deserved. He pitched magnificently, notwithstanding the home run, which would have been a two-run shot if not for the error. This loss is all on the offense. Boston should have had the seventh straight win, but the team left too many runners on base.