CHICAGO — Gavin Floyd outpitched Tim Wakefield, A.J. Pierzynski hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Friday night.
Chicago's seventh straight victory over Boston and 14th in the last 16 games between the teams denied the 44-year-old knuckleballing Wakefield his 200th career win.
Floyd (9-9) won his third straight start. He gave up a run and three hits in seven innings, including a homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and ran his career record against the Red Sox to 6-0.
Wakefield (6-4) also allowed three hits in seven innings. But his wild pitch in the sixth helped set up the tying run on Paul Konerko's sacrifice fly. And he walked Carlos Quentin to start the bottom of the seventh before Pierzynski drove his fifth homer of the season into the right-center field seats to give the White Sox a two-run lead.
Matt Thornton pitched the eighth and Sergio Santos the ninth for his 22nd save in 25 games.
The Red Sox played without major league RBIs and batting average leader Adrian Gonzalez, a late lineup scratch with a stiff neck. Dustin Pedroia went 0-for-4 and his 25-game hitting streak was snapped.
The Red Sox threatened in the sixth, loading the bases as Marco Scutaro beat out an infield single and Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz walked before Floyd threw a called third strike past Kevin Youkilis.
Wakefield held the White Sox hitless through 3 2/3 innings before Adam Dunn singled in the fourth, and Chicago didn't get another hit until Juan Pierre had a bunt single to start the bottom of the sixth. Switch-hitting Omar Vizquel, batting right-handed against the right-handed Wakefield, sacrificed before Pierre made third on a wild pitch. Konerko then delivered his sacrifice fly to left.
Notes:
Reliever Jason Frasor, acquired in a trade with Toronto on Wednesday, said he was ecstatic to join the White Sox and be in a pennant race. A Chicago native who has family in the suburbs, Frasor said he wasn't sure what his role would be. He didn't expect to land back in his hometown. "It's nice to be wanted. I think when get traded they always ask, 'Why did I get traded, why me?' I don't feel that way. …" Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said he told 44-year-old Vizquel if he keeps playing the way he has for the White Sox he could go another three years in the majors. Vizquel was batting .271 before starting at third base Friday night and the 11-time Gold Glove winner is still a slick fielder, making a couple of nice plays. Guillen also lauded Vizquel's influence on younger players. … Saltalamaccchia's homer was Boston's 68th on the road this season. … Youkilis, moved from third to first after Gonzalez was scratched, made a nice diving stop on Alejandro De Aza's grounder in the fourth. … Wakefield is now 7-13 in his career against the White Sox.