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Cubs' return to Fenway spoiled by Red Sox

May 21, 2011 - 6:21 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Adrian Gonzalez had four hits and knocked in four runs, as the Red Sox picked up their season-high seventh straight win by blasting the Chicago Cubs, 15-5, in the first-ever Fenway Park regular season meeting between the teams.

Kevin Youkilis homered and knocked in three runs, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia also went deep for Boston. Jacoby Ellsbury chipped in three hits and two RBI.

Jon Lester (6-1) won his sixth consecutive decision despite allowing 12 hits and five runs over six innings.

Friday's game represented the Cubs' first time in Fenway Park in nearly 93 years since the final game of the 1918 World Series that saw the Red Sox defeat Chicago in six games. Babe Ruth was the winning pitcher for Boston in two of those games.

The Cubs' gap of nearly 96 years (July 26, 1915 to May 20, 2011) between regular season games at one venue is the longest in major league history.

Doug Davis (0-2) was blasted for eight hits and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings, as the Cubs had a two-game win streak halted.

"The loss kind of put an end to my enthusiasm for this wonderful, momentous occasion," Cubs manager Mike Quade said.

Jeff Baker had four hits and two runs scored in defeat in a game that featured 31 hits, a season-high 19 by the Red Sox.

Gonzalez had an RBI single during a two-run first inning. Boston's first run came home thanks to a throwing error on Chicago catcher Koyie Hill.

The Cubs tied the game in the third thanks to an RBI double from Aramis Ramirez and a run-scoring groundout from Carlos Pena.

Youkilis lifted a sacrifice fly in the third, and Jed Lowrie added an RBI single to left field later in the inning for a 4-2 margin.

Boston blew it open in the next inning by sending 10 batters to the plate, highlighted by Youkilis' two-run blast over the Green Monster. The ball actually left the park, just after Gonzalez singled in two runs.

Chicago scored three times in the fifth, helped by Reed Johnson's two-run double, but Boston scored two in its half, one on Saltalamacchia's homer to left-center off Scott Maine leading off the inning to provide a 10-5 cushion.

"It was good to get the big lead and cruise the last three innings," Gonzalez said. "It was nice and relaxing."

Carl Crawford and Ellsbury each had two-run singles during a five-run eighth.

Game Notes

This marked the Cubs' 13th regular season game at Fenway Park, the first since July 26, 1915 against the Boston Braves. The two clubs met in interleague play back in 2005 at Wrigley Field with the Cubs winning two of the three games in that series...Lester moved to 8-2 all-time against National League teams...The Red Sox made several roster moves prior to Friday's game, including activating pitcher Dan Wheeler from the 15-day disabled list...Youkilis has 500 career runs batted in...Boston has also won seven in a row at home...Scott Atchison collected his first career save by throwing three perfect innings.