The Boston Red Sox achieved their sixth consecutive victory on Thursday afternoon, completing their second straight three-game sweep by defeating the White Sox 2-1. This win brings the Red Sox’s record to 43-48, placing them within five games of a .500 record and moving them out of last place in the American League East for the first time since late May. The team is also 2 1/2 games away from the final American League Wild Card spot, a significant improvement from being 14 games under .500 just weeks prior.
The Red Sox have won 11 of their last 13 games, with Thursday’s game marking the long-awaited debut of left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval. Sandoval, who signed with Boston before the 2025 season, had not pitched due to recovery from elbow surgery. This was his first major league appearance in over two years.
Sandoval’s Debut Performance
In his debut, Sandoval allowed one run on four hits and recorded five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. He appeared comfortable for much of the game, and it was noted that he likely had more to offer before manager Chad Tracy opted to bring in the bullpen in the fifth inning. Sandoval retired the White Sox in order during the first inning, throwing only eight pitches.
Despite Chicago getting at least one runner on base in each of the subsequent four innings, Sandoval managed to navigate through trouble until the fifth. In that inning, Luisangel Acuña singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then stole third. Former Red Sox prospect Chase Meidroth then drew a walk, putting runners on the corners. At this point, Tracy brought in the bullpen.
Sandoval’s stat line for his debut included 4.1 innings pitched, 5 hits allowed, 1 earned run allowed, 1 walk allowed, and 5 strikeouts. He threw 65 pitches, with 41 strikes, and recorded 6 total whiffs. Sandoval is a 6-foot-3 left-hander who was an 11th-round pick in 2015 by the Astros. He previously had a career 4.01 ERA in 107 MLB appearances, including 100 starts, with the Los Angeles Angels. His last full healthy season was in 2024, where he made 16 starts and had a 5.08 ERA. His best season was in 2022, when he posted a 2.91 ERA in 27 starts.
Offensive Contributions and Bullpen Strength
Tyron Guerrero took over from Sandoval, and Andrew Benintendi hit an infield dribbler that scored Acuña. Guerrero limited further damage and pitched another scoreless inning before Garrett Whitlock entered in the seventh. Guerrero has been a reliable reliever for Boston, allowing only one earned run in his last 14 appearances, with a 0.61 ERA during that period.
Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Aroldis Chapman secured his 19th save with a quick ninth inning. The Red Sox offense managed to score just enough runs, despite playing without Willson Contreras, who began serving a reduced five-game suspension. The team recorded only four hits, drew four walks, and struck out six times, going 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and stranding five baserunners.
Caleb Durbin, who had been 3-for-21 in July, broke out of his slump in the fourth inning by hitting a two-run homer to right field. This was his ninth home run of the season and accounted for all of Boston’s runs. The Red Sox had threatened in the third inning when Anthony Kay hit Brett Harris, and Connor Wong followed with an infield single. Anthony Seigler advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, but Kay then retired the next two batters.
Harris, making his Red Sox debut, went 0-for-2 after being hit by a pitch. He also grounded into an inning-ending double play in the fourth and bounced out to second base in the seventh. Seigler, who returned to the lineup after suffering a trap contusion, went 0-for-2 with a walk. The White Sox left-hander finished with two runs allowed on four hits over 5 1/3 innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Defensive Highlights and Upcoming Series
The Red Sox defense also made key plays, with Jarren Duran making a running catch in the eighth inning and Ceddanne Rafaela sealing the sweep with a diving catch in center field in the ninth. The team will now head to the final stop of their three-city, nine-game road trip for a weekend series against the Mets.
Sonny Gray (10-1, 2.61 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night’s opener against a pitcher yet to be announced. The game at Citi Field is set for 7:15 p.m. ET. In other news, the Red Sox placed left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain, retroactive to July 6. This will sideline him for his scheduled start against the Mets and likely prevent him from participating in next week’s All-Star Game, for which he had been selected.
Suarez sustained the injury during his start against the Angels on Sunday, just one day after being named to his second career All-Star team. The All-Star Game is scheduled to be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where Suarez played for the first eight seasons of his career before signing a contract with the Red Sox this past offseason.
To fill Suarez’s roster spot, Boston recalled infielder Brett Harris from Triple-A Worcester.
Source: nesn.com