E-Rod’s back in business

CHICAGO — Six weeks later, Eduardo Rodriguez looked exactly like he did the last time he pitched.

Dominant.

In his first start since spraining his ankle on July 14, Rodriguez offered a needed lift to a Red Sox rotation recently hit hard by injuries. Rodriguez recorded 12 strikeouts while allowing just one run and three hits in his 52⁄3 innings yesterday in the Red Sox’ 6-1 victory over the White Sox.

The Red Sox offense touched Chicago starter Carlos Rodon for five runs, four of them earned, in his 61⁄3 innings.

Eduardo Nunez and Jackie Bradley Jr. each hit solo home runs in the fifth inning, while Steve Pearce and J.D. Martinez each singled in runs in the seventh, when a throwing error by Rodon led to another run.

Ian Kinsler hit a solo shot in the eighth inning.

Before his injury, Rodriguez had not allowed a run in his previous three July starts, and carried a 19-inning scoreless streak into last night’s outing. Rodriguez had not allowed a hit and already had 10 strikeouts before Matt Davidson led off the fifth inning with a bloop single to right.

The following frame, Rodriguez’ last, Yolmer Sanchez led off with an infield single. Rodriguez retired the next two hitters before surrendering an RBI double to Nicky Delmonico to end his scoreless innings streak at 24.

That was all for Rodriguez, who gave way to Ryan Brasier, who struck out Avisail Garcia with a 99-mph fastball for the final out of the inning, which ended with the Red Sox ahead, 2-1.

Brasier pitched a scoreless seventh, with Matt Barnes in the eighth and Joe Kelly in the ninth securing the victory.