• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

White Sox go for rare win streak in Beantown

May 31, 2011 - 3:13 PM (Sports Network) - Boston's run to the top of the American League East was pretty amazing given its slow start to the season. It apparently hasn't impressed Chicago very much though.

The White Sox will try to post their longest winning streak at Fenway Park in 52 years as they continue a three-game series with the Red Sox this evening.

Boston came into yesterday's opener in first place in the AL East and winners in 13 of its past 16 games. However, Chicago denied Red Sox hurler Jon Lester his eighth win of the season by tagging the lefty for seven runs over 5 2/3 innings on the way to a 7-3 victory.

The White Sox, who won six of seven versus the Red Sox last year, improved to 11-2 in the past 13 games of this series and have won five straight at Fenway Park for the first time since 1982. They haven't won six straight at the historic ballpark since a seven-game run from July 12, 1958-May 14, 1959.

Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin both drove in two runs during a four-run sixth inning and Paul Konerko homered to help Chicago snap a three-game slide and improve to 3-5 on a 10-game road trip. Jake Peavy gave up three runs over seven 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. Lester, meanwhile, lost for the first time since April 12 as the Red Sox fell into a tie with the Yankees for first place.

"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."

Gonzalez's homer was his 10th of the season and he is hitting .347 in May with nine homers and 31 RBI.

Chicago could see a familiar face in the later innings as Boston is expected to activate Bobby Jenks from the disabled list. Jenks, a former closer for the White Sox, hasn't pitched since May 1 due to a right biceps strain.

Boston's Alfredo Aceves has been excellent since injuries to starters Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey forced him into the rotation. In two starts, he has allowed just two runs over 11 innings with eight strikeouts.

The right-hander got a no-decision in his first start of the season against the Cubs on May 21, but won his seventh career start on Thursday in Detroit. Backed by plenty of offense, Aceves allowed a run on five hits over six innings of a 14-1 triumph.

Aceves, 29, is 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA in 13 total appearances this season and 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA in five career games versus the White Sox. He has faced Chicago once before as a starter back in 2008 while with the Yankees.

The White Sox will move Philip Humber up a day to pitch tonight's game after scheduled starter Gavin Floyd pitched in relief on Saturday. He will go tomorrow instead.

The right-handed Humber has thrown at least seven innings in five of his last six starts, including at Toronto on Thursday. He allowed just a run on six hits over 7 2/3 innings, but posted a second straight no-decision in his club's late 3-1 win.

Humber, 28, is 3-3 with a season-best 2.85 ERA in 11 games (nine starts) this year and faces Boston for the first time in his career.