Byrd didn't make it out of the third inning in the series-opener as the White Sox put up seven runs on him en route to their 12-2 win. Every starter except for Alex Gonzalez was out of the game after the top of the fourth as Terry Francona let Junichi Tazawa, Manny Delcarmen, Takashi Saito and the reserves let the rest of the blowout play itself out. It was Chicago's second straight win over the Red Sox, who still own the season-series 3-2.
Red Sox 12, White Sox 2
U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Ill.
September 4, 2009
Live Blog | Box Score
Headliner: Mark Kotsay got the party started with a two-run jack — his first as a member of the White Sox — in the second inning. The former Red Sox outfielder/first baseman finished the night 3-for-4 with a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored. In 49 games with the Red Sox split between 2008 and 2009, Kotsay hit just one homer — he needed just 20 games to hit his first in a White Sox uni.
Dirt dog: Chicago second baseman Chris Getz led all batters with four hits while chipping in with two runs and two RBIs. It was the rookie's first career game against the wild card-leading Red Sox.
Better luck next time: Despite getting a one-two-three first inning, Paul Byrd just didn’t have the same magic he possessed in his first outing of the season last week. The veteran righty struck out three and walked none but was touched up early and often against the White Sox as he was smacked around for seven runs on ten hits in just 2 1/3 frames.
Key moment: Despite being down just 2-1 at the time, things caved in on Byrd and the Red Sox in just the second inning. Super-rookie Gordon Beckham got the hurt train in motion when he led off the frame with a triple to deep center field. The White Sox would go on to get five more hits off Byrd that inning and have five runners cross the plate to give the ChiSox a 7-1 lead.
On deck: Boston will try to bounce back Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. After a few successful side sessions, Tim Wakefield’s back appears to be game-ready. The knuckler had a cortisone shot earlier this week to take off some pain and pressure in his ailing back as he makes his second start since returning from the disabled list. In his last outing, also against the White Sox on Aug. 26, Wake took the no decision after allowing just one run on six hits over seven innings.
Gavin Floyd, who opposed Wakefield at Fenway a week ago, will be looking for his 11th win of the season. Floyd has been winless in his last three outings including a loss on Monday when he gave up three runs in six innings at Minnesota.
Joining the Boston bullpen Saturday will be Michael Bowden, who was called up Friday night. Bowden will likely take over for Wakefield should the veteran falter. Tazawa, who was originally scheduled to start Saturday, was used to mop up Byrd's mess Friday night and will likely be unavailable Saturday.
