CHICAGO — Rick Porcello pitched seven outstanding innings Wednesday night in his return from a triceps injury, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 3-0 victory against the Chicago White Sox.
Porcello and Chris Sale of the White Sox had nearly identical lines, but Travis Shaw hit a two-run homer off Nate Jones (1-1) with two outs in the eighth. Robbie Ross Jr. then got three outs for the Red Sox before Junichi Tazawa finished the six-hitter for his third save in nine chances.
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WHO: Red Sox (Owens 2-1) at Mets (Harvey 11-7)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m. Friday
TELEVISION: NESN
Porcello (6-11) allowed five hits, struck out five and walked none in one of his best starts in a disappointing debut season with Boston.
Porcello was acquired in a December trade with Detroit, then agreed to an $82.5 million, four-year contract in April.
It was Porcello’s first win in six weeks. He had been sidelined by a right triceps strain since he was tagged for five earned runs and 10 hits in two-plus innings in a July 29 loss to the White Sox.
Sale also pitched seven innings of five-hit ball. He struck out seven, running his major league-leading total to a career-best 229 in just 171 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox played without David Ortiz and Pablo Sandoval, who each got a day off. But Josh Rutledge contributed two hits, a ninth-inning sacrifice fly and an outstanding play at second base.
Porcello retired his first 10 batters before Melky Cabrera doubled with two outs in the fourth. The White Sox had runners on the corners with one out in the fifth, but Porcello wiggled out of the jam with some help from Rutledge.
After Tyler Flowers flied to shallow right for the second out, rookie Tyler Saladino hit a slow bouncer to second. Rutledge rushed in and made a terrific diving throw that just beat the athletic Saladino to first.
The White Sox threatened again in the sixth, putting two runners on with one out. Porcello then struck out Avisail Garcia and got Adam LaRoche to fly to center.
The Red Sox had their best opportunity against Sale in the third, loading the bases with two outs.
But Sale struck out Hanley Ramirez for his 226th strikeout, matching his previous single-season high set in 2013.
NOTES: Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz (right elbow strain) will be re-evaluated next week. “We’re still gathering some information and at that point we’ll figure out where we’re at,” interim manager Torey Lovullo said. Buchholz’s last major league game was July 10, and he’s running out of time for a return this year. … White Sox right-hander Daniel Webb allowed one run and three hits in 1 2/3 innings in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Charlotte. Webb is coming back from a back strain. … Following an off day, Boston begins a three-game series Friday night against the New York Mets. Left-hander Henry Owens (2-1, 4.50 ERA) gets the ball in the opener against Mets right-hander Matt Harvey (11-7, 2.57 ERA). … White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (5-5, 4.22 ERA) faces Seattle left-hander Roenis Elias (4-6, 4.22 ERA) in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night. Rodon pitched seven solid innings in Chicago’s 6-3, 10-inning victory at Seattle on Saturday. Elias is coming off a scoreless inning in a relief appearance against Oakland on Monday.
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