White Sox 3, Red Sox 1 (10): More Monday Magic

Thanks to a superb outing by Miguel Gonzalez, Zach Duke pulling an "El Duque", and Jose Abreu the Chicago White Sox defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-1 in 10 innings.

Coming off his worst start of 2016, Gonzalez was very efficient, pitching six scoreless innings against the best offense in Major League Baseball. It made for a very fun pitching duel with Boston's Steven Wright, who lead the American League in ERA. Hitting 94 mph often with his fastball, Gonzalez was cruising until the seventh inning.

After inducing a fly out from Hanley Ramirez and striking out Jackie Bradley Jr., Gonzalez hit a wall. Chris Young singled, and Travis Shaw walked to set up an opportunity for Christian Vazquez. Already with a hit against Gonzalez, manager Robin Ventura could not go to the bullpen as Nate Jones was still getting warm. On a 2-2 pitch, Vazquez hit a broken-bat bloop to shallow center that scored Young to tie the game, 1-1. Ventura would pull Gonzalez after the at bat for Nate Jones, who on the first pitch grabbed a comebacker to end the inning. Gonzalez final line was 6.2 IP 4 H 1 ER 5 K 2 BB, but he would only earn the no decision.

The White Sox were able to generate early offense against Steven Wright, having the lead-off man reach base in innings 1, 3 and 4 but could only muster a single run thanks to #PASSEDBALLOFFENSE. In the top half of the ninth, Melky Cabrera reached on an infield single thanks to Marco Hernandez bobble the grounder. Todd Frazier walked to give the Sox runners on first and second with just one out. Unfortunately, Brett Lawrie would strike out, and Alex Avila grounded out to second to end the threat.

In the bottom half, Zach Putnam got wild. Lost all control on his pitches and would walk the first three batters. Ventura lifted Putnam for Zach Duke. To counter, Red Sox manager John Farrell pinched hit Dustin Pedroia. After several foul line drives, Duke was able to strike out Pedroia on a low breaking pitch. Before the at-bat, Ventura implemented the "Rover" defense, substituting Tyler Saladino for Jason Coats. With five infielders and just two outfielders, Duke would get Vazquez to ground weakly up the middle to Saladino, who made a low throw to home. Avila made a terrific scoop and was able to keep a foot on home plate to record the second out. Ventura would swap Saladino for JB Shuck to have three outfielders again, but it was no matter as Duke struck out pinch hitter Ryan LaMarre to escape the jam.

Heading to extras, the Red Sox called for closer Craig Kimbrel to start the 10th inning. Uncharacteristically, he would walk Avisail Garcia on four straight pitches.  JB Shuck followed up with a single to give the Sox runners on first and second with no outs. Just like earlier in the game, scoring in this situation seemed doubtful after Tim Anderson struck out and Adam Eaton grounded into a fielder's choice. Now the scenario was runners on the corners with two outs against one of the premier closers in the game against one of the premier hitters in the game in Jose Abreu.

And Abreu won the battle, taking a 99-mph fastball to right field for a double scoring Garcia and Eaton, giving the Sox a 3-1 lead. David Robertson maneuvered around a bloop single by David Ortiz to strike out two and earn his 17th save.

Record: 34-36 | Box Score | Highlights