Final 9th, Red Sox 1-0: It was a pitcher's duel from the beginning, with Jake Peavy and Jon Lester looking nearly unhittable.
But credit has to go to the Red Sox bullpen. It's been maligned all month long, but the group steadied the ship for two innings to solidify Jon Lester's first victory of the season.
It was the lefty's first win since last September.
Mid 9th, Red Sox 1-0: If this thing ends in this frame, Peavy will have thrown back-to-back complete games.
If Ryan Sweeney's blooper didn't sneak by Gordon Beckham, this game could have still been deadlocked at zero.
It remains to be seen whether Alfredo Aceves can shut the door.
End 8th, Red Sox 1-0: Franklin Morales and Vicente Padilla got the job done in combining to form the setup role.
Padilla had people nervous when he walked Paul Konerko and put the tying run on base. But he got Alex Rios to ground out, likely paving the way for Alfredo Aceves to come in and get the save.
Mid 8th, Red Sox 1-0: The Red Sox really worked White Sox center fielder Alejandro De Aza there, as Mike Aviles and Marlon Byrd both flew out to center.
That could be the end of Aviles' hit streak. As for Ryan Sweeney, he struck out swinging against Peavy, who is continuing to show his former Cy Young form.
End 7th, Red Sox 1-0: That should be all for Lester after he tossed 122 pitches.
And with that, we may be seeing Rich Hill's 2012 debut after he was called up Friday. The lefty underwent Tommy John surgery last season and really battled back from the procedure at a quick pace.
He hasn't allowed a run since donning a Red Sox uniform, so it's worth watching whether it'll continue.
Mid 7th, Red Sox 1-0: Dayan Viciedo made a spectacular catch, snagging that foul ball in the seats.
It's a bona fide pitchers' duel between Jake Peavy and Jon Lester, who have combined to surrendered just seven hits.
End 6th, Red Sox 1-0: That was Jon Lester's sixth strikeout of the night, and he has retired 16 of the last 18 batters he's faced.
He finally managed to get Paul Konerko — who had two doubles against him up to that point. He looks like he has more gas left in the tank.
Mid 6th, Red Sox 1-0: With the way that Peavy has been pitching, Mike Aviles' nine-game hitting streak may be in jeopardy.
Also of note, Jon Lester has retired 13 of the last 15 batters he's faced, with Paul Konerko being the main culprit. That's the type of stuff the Red Sox were looking for from him.
End 5th, Red Sox 1-0: That 30-pitch first inning seems like so long ago for Jon Lester.
So far, he's been cruising in this game, with his best appearance since Opening Day, when he lost a close one to Justin Verlander. It'll be interesting to see how long he can last.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 1-0: After his scoreless inning streak was snapped, Peavy starts back from scratch with one.
Cody Ross almost ended those hopes, crushing a fly ball that landed in Dayan Viciedo's grasp on the warning track.
End 4th, Red Sox 1-0: A ball got past Jarrod Saltalmacchia, and the Red Sox were very fortunate that Paul Konerko reacted late and wasn't ready to get over to third.
Marlon Byrd also appeared to be shaken up when he attempted a diving catch. It looked like it was his wrist.
With the injuries to Jason Repko, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford, the Sox certainly can't afford any more injuries to outfielders.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 1-0: The Red Sox snapped Jake Peavy's 17-inning scoreless streak when Adrian Gonzalez hit an RBI single.
But Ryan Sweeney's double — and base running — helped set that run up. His blooper barely dropped in front of Beckham, and Sweeney wisely hustled to second base even before the ball plopped down.
End 3rd, 0-0: Jon Lester induced three grounders in that one, making quick work of the White Sox lineup.
Through three frames, he's allowed one hit and one walk to lower his ERA to 5.33. The cold weather in Chicago could also be helping Lester's cause in this one.
Mid 3rd, 0-0: Cody Ross, Ryan Sweeney and Dustin Pedroia are all bundled up over there with ski masks.
The look worked for Ross on Friday, when he drove in two runs. In his first at-bat, however, he flew out.
Peavy has continued to pitch well, overcoming a 3-0 count against Mike Aviles to strike him out.
End 2nd, 0-0: With 11 pitches in that frame, Jon Lester was able to get his pitch count back to a better balance.
The fastball and the curveball seemed to be working for him, as Lester struck out Brent Morel and Tyler Flowers, who is spelling A.J. Pierzynski in this one.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: Jake Peavy has retired all six batters he's faced in this one.
He also went up against former Padres teammate Adrian Gonzalez, who flew out to left field.
In Peavy's previous starts against the Red Sox, he tallied a 4.50 ERA.
End 1st, 0-0: Jon Lester managed to leave the inning unscathed, but he tossed another 30-plus pitch inning, which doesn't bode well — at the moment, at least — for longevity in this outing.
After starting out sharp against the first two batters he faced, Lester got behind Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko. He did the same with Alex Rios but was able to get him to fly out to right field.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Jake Peavy throws a 1-2-3 first inning. As mentioned earlier, he appears to be recapturing the form that made him one of the top pitchers in baseball a few years ago.
Injuries sidetracked him over that time as he battled ankle and lat injuries. Looks like the White Sox are getting that return on investment now.
5 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Mike Aviles, SS
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Jarrod Saltalmacchia, C
Lars Anderson, LF
Marlon Byrd, CF
Jon Lester, P
White Sox
Alejandro De Aza, CF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Adam Dunn, DH
Paul Konerko, 1B
Alex Rios, RF
Dayan Viciedo, LF
Tyler Flowers, C
Brent Morel, 3B
Gordon Beckham, 2B
Jake Peavy, P
8 a.m. ET: The Red Sox (9-10) are rolling offensively with a five-game winning streak and are eyeing a return to a .500 record with a victory over the White Sox (10-10). Boston will look for Jon Lester, who is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA, to keep propelling them forward.
The lefty is looking to get back on track after two subpar outings. He'll be facing off against Jake Peavy, who is looking like the Cy Young Award winner from his San Diego days. Peavy has been nearly unhittable during his three wins, holding opposing hitters to a .172 average and striking out 26 over 28 2/3 innings. He's coming off pitching a three-hit shutout against the Athletics, who are next on the schedule for the Red Sox.
For analysis, follow NESN.com's live blog. Be sure to tune into NESN for the game and the first pitch is scheduled at 7:10 ET.
