The White Sox jumped on the rookie from Japan early as they managed to escape Boston with a 9-5 win, avoiding the series sweep.
Chicago plated four runs in both the second and third innings and added one more in the fourth before Red Sox manager Terry Francona gave his rookie the hook.
White Sox starter John Danks rolled with the big lead, going six innings where he allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking one en route to his 12th win of the season.
Tazawa, who suffered his first loss at the Fens, dropped to 2-3 on the season and saw his ERA jump to 6.65.
White Sox 9, Red Sox 5
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
August 27, 2009
Headliner: Jayson Nix, who homered on Tuesday night, went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in the White Sox win.
Dirt dog: J.D. Drew wrapped a homer around the pole in right before Alex Gonzalez smashed a deep blast to left-center to give the Sox back-to-back jacks in the fifth. The dingers got Boston on the board and ruined Danks' shutout attempt. But Drew wasn't finished, as the right fielder smashed another solo blast over the center-field fence in the ninth, his 18th of the season.
Also earning a mention was utility man Nick Green, who ate up two innings of relief for the Sox bullpen and allowed no hits and no runs despite walking three. Green topped out at 90 mph and threw 13-of-35 pitches for strikes while making two assists in the field.
Better luck next time: Rookie righty Junichi Tazawa picked up his first loss at home as he allowed nine runs on 10 hits in just four innings of work against the ChiSox.
Key moment: Things fell apart in the second inning for Tazawa, as the White Sox plated four runs on four hits and one error. After allowing a pair of singles to start off the inning, Taz plunked Carlos Quentin to load the bases. After a Mark Kotsay sacrifice fly to get the White Sox on the board with the first run of the night, Jayson Nix smacked a two-run double before Scott Podsednik roped one up the middle to score another run and give Chicago the quick 4-0 advantage. The White Sox never looked back.
On deck: After sending off the White Sox with losses in three of four games, the Red Sox welcome in the Blue Jays to the old ballyard for a three game weekend set. The Sox, who are finishing up a 10-game homestand, swept the Jays in Toronto last week.
Josh Beckett kicks off the series in search of his 15th win of the season which would tie CC Sabathia for the American League lead. Beckett suffered a loss in his last outing — his first defeat in over a month. Beckett allowed eight earned runs on nine hits in eight frames against the Yankees last Sunday night. The righty coughed up a career-high five home runs in the contest.
Facing Beckett will be Scott Richmond, Toronto’s young righty, who is in search of his seventh win of the season. Richmond was shut down for the majority of the month of July with shoulder tendinitis. The 29-year-old is winless in his last four starts after beginning the season with a 4-0 record.
