BOSTON (AP) — Mitch Moreland homered with two outs in the 11th inning, lifting the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Moreland, a defensive replacement in the 10th, drove a pitch from Aaron Bummer (0-2) over the Green Monster for his 14th of the season. It was Boston’s second game-ending homer this week.
The AL East-leading Red Sox earned their fourth consecutive victory and moved three games ahead of the second-place Yankees, who lost 7-2 at Cleveland.
Christian Vazquez, who hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 12-10 victory against the Indians, helped preserve the tie in the top of the 11th when he picked off Nicky Delmonico at second for the second out. Chicago had runners at first and second with nobody out, but failed to score.
The White Sox were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base while losing their fourth in a row.
Eduardo Nunez hit a tying solo homer for Boston in the sixth, and Heath Hembree (2-3) got three outs for the win.
Chicago left-hander Carlos Rodon matched a career high with 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
Boston had only one hit before opening the fifth with three straight singles. Chris Young drove in Rafael Devers with a single to left, and the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out when Jackie Bradley Jr. reached on an infield hit.
Rodon then got Mookie Betts to bounce into a fielder’s choice and struck out Andrew Benintendi to end the inning.
Chicago struck first on Delmonico’s two-run double with two runs in the fourth. It was the first career double for Delmonico, who hit his first homer Thursday night.
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched six innings for Boston. He allowed four hits and struck out five on a season-high 118 pitches.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: OF Avisail Garcia (right thumb ligament strain) took batting practice and could return to the lineup without going through a rehab assignment, manager Rick Renteria said.
Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation) started light workouts and could return from the 10-day DL on Tuesday against Tampa Bay. … LHP David Price (left elbow inflammation) did not throw Friday because of soreness. Price has been on the DL since July 25.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP James Shields (2-3, 6.19 ERA) struggled in his last start, allowing six runs and eight hits in six innings Monday against Toronto.
Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (10-4, 3.46 ERA) didn’t figure in the decision Sunday when he held Kansas City to one run in 6 2/3 innings.
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