Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay each knocked in three runs as Boston blasted Chicago, 8-0, in the opener of a three-game set at Fenway Park.
David Ortiz finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Red Sox, who have won four of their last five games. Mark Kotsay also drove in a run.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (16-2) allowed only two hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking two for the victory.
Jermaine Dye and Alexei Ramirez picked up the only hits for the White Sox, who have lost back-to-back contests after a three-game win streak. The loss meant that Minnesota pulled within a game of first place in the AL Central. The Twins take on the Athletics in Oakland later Friday.
Chicago starter Javier Vazquez (10-12) allowed 10 hits and five runs -- three earned -- over 5 2/3 innings, tagged with the loss despite fanning seven.
In the sixth, the Red Sox cracked open the contest by scoring four times.
Alex Cora led off, and after catcher A.J. Pierzynski was given an error on a dropped foul ball, doubled to right. Cora went to third on a wild pitch, but Jason Varitek struck out and Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out before Dustin Pedroia drew a walk.
Horacio Ramirez came in for Vazquez and Pedroia stole second. Ortiz worked a walk to load the bases and D.J. Carrasco entered the game only to hit Youkilis with a pitch to force in a run. Bay cleared the sacks with a double off the scoreboard in left-center to make it 7-0.
Youkilis doubled in a run in the eighth off Lance Broadway and Mike Timlin finished the contest by retiring Chicago in order.
The Sox got on the board in their first at-bat. Ellsbury walked, then Pedroia and Ortiz singled to load the bases. Youkilis grounded into a force at second, allowing Ellsbury to score.
Boston tacked on two more in the fifth on RBI doubles from Ortiz and Kotsay.
Game Notes
Matsuzaka has not lost since July 28, and has recorded wins in five of his last six starts...It was Kotsay's first run batted in as a member of the Red Sox...Prior to the game, the Sox placed starter Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, and called up catcher David Ross from Triple-A Pawtucket...In other moves, the club placed infielder Sean Casey on the 15-day DL (retroactive to August 20) with neck stiffness, transferred shortstop Julio Lugo to the 60-day DL from the 15-day DL with a left quad strain and scratched outfielder Coco Crisp with flu-like symptoms.
