White Sox 7 - 3 Red Sox
Final
  for this game

Chicago socks Lester, Boston

May 31, 2011 - 5:24 AM

Video

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin recorded two- run hits during a four-run sixth inning, as the Chicago White Sox downed the Boston Red Sox, 7-3, in the opener of a three-game set from Fenway Park.

A.J. Pierzynski added a two-run single and Paul Konerko homered for the White Sox, who put the brakes on a three-game skid.

Jake Peavy (2-0) allowed six hits and three runs with two strikeouts over seven solid innings to earn the win.

"It says a lot about this team to come back after a few tough days and grind out a win," Peavy said.

Dustin Pedroia knocked in two runs and Adrian Gonzalez had a solo blast for the Red Sox, losers of two straight games after winning five in a row.

Jon Lester (7-2) lost for the first time since April 12, rocked in defeat for eight hits and seven runs, walking four and fanning four in 5 2/3 innings.

"I didn't think he commanded very well. He scattered a lot of pitches," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of his starter. "We have to get him back to establishing fastball, changeup, breaking ball and using that cutter to put people away."

Lester was chased from the hill in the sixth. Alex Rios began the inning with a single, and Gordon Beckham followed with a base hit two batters later. Juan Pierre then worked a two-out walk to load the bases and Ramirez plated two with a bloop double behind Gonzalez which put Chicago up 5-3.

Dan Wheeler came on in relief, but gave up a two-run single from Quentin before fanning Konerko to end the inning.

Boston stranded two men in the sixth.

Jesse Crain and Matt Thornton combined to hold the BoSox at bay in the eighth despite a two-out rally, and Thornton recorded a 1-2-3 ninth to lock up the win.

Chicago jumped on Lester for two runs in the first, with Pierzynski singling home two men with the bases loaded and one out, but Gonzalez got a run back for Boston with two down in the home half on a homer into the bullpen in right.

Konerko cleared the Green Monster with two outs in the third to restore the Pale Hose's two-run edge, but Pedroia's two-run single in the home portion knotted the game at 3-3.

Game Notes

Konerko tied former Red Sox and White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk for 66th on the all-time home run list with 376...Lester had recorded seven wins and one no- decision since his last defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays...It was Lester's second- shortest outing of the season, after two 5 1/3-inning starts on April 1 and May 10.






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