Drew Sutton (2-for-2, 2 RBI) led a late charge in the eighth and ninth innings, driving in one run in each inning, but the rally fell short as the Boston Red Sox fell to the Chicago White Sox, 10-7, in the second game of the series on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Boston (30-25) fell behind 10-1 by the sixth inning, as starting pitcher Alfredo Aceves surrendered eight runs (six earned runs) on eight hits while walking three in five innings and reliever Scott Atchison allowed two earned in two innings.
In the second inning, Chicago (26-31) struck for four runs. Gordon Beckham singled to drive in Paul Konerko, Brent Morel was safe at first on a Jed Lowrie fielding error (A.J. Pierzynski scored) and Alexi Ramirez singled to shallow center, scoring Beckham and Morel.
Pierzynski's ground rule double in the third inning brought Konerko home and gave Chicago a 5-0 lead, but Jason Varitek hit a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the deficit to four runs. In the fourth, Ramirez hit a single to center, bringing in Morel, to get the run back.
The White Sox put the nail in the coffin in the sixth inning, plating four more runs. Juan Pierre hit a two-run single to right, Carlos Quentin doubled to left to bring Pierre home, and Konerko hit a sacrifice fly that scored Ramirez, putting Chicago up 10-1.
Led by Sutton's rally, the Red Sox plated four runs in the eighth inning. Sutton hit a single to left, scoring Reddick, and David Ortiz connected for a three-run home run. In the ninth inning, Josh Reddick hit a sac fly to score Lowrie and Sutton doubled to right, plating Varitek.
Phil Humber (4-3) pitched 7.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits while striking out five to earn the win. Chris Sale earned the save, his second of the season, recording the final out of the game.
Boston hosts Chicago in the series finale at Fenway Park on Wednesday night.