Abreu, White Sox top Red Sox 3-1 in 10 for 5th win in row
BOSTON — José Abreu hit a go-ahead double in the 10th after the White Sox tied it an inning earlier, helping Chicago beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 Saturday at windy Fenway Park for its fifth straight win.
Leury García had two singles and a game-tying sacrifice fly in the ninth for the White Sox (13-13), who reached .500 for the first time since April 21.
“We really worked to win that game,” Chicago manager Tony La Russa said. “They did, too, but we really worked and got rewarded. All game long we just kept trying to push. … The team was rewarded for trying so hard, it just makes it extra special.”
Rafael Devers had an RBI double for Boston, which has lost 13 of 17. The Red Sox have lost six straight series.
Boston manager Alex Cora was ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Torres for arguing after Trevor Story was called out on strikes.
Abreu drove in automatic runner AJ Pollock and Luis Robert followed with an RBI single off Matt Barnes (0-3).
Reynaldo López (4-0) worked two innings of scoreless relief and Liam Hendricks got three outs for his ninth save.
The Red Sox wasted a strong start by Jake Pivetta, who went six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks, allowing five singles.
Chicago tied it on García’s fly against Hansel Robles after Jake Burger walked and advanced on Adam Engel’s double inside the third-base bag.
BLUE JAYS 8, GUARDIANS 3, 1st GAME GUARDIANS 8,
BLUE JAYS 2, 2nd GAME
CLEVELAND — Owen Miller delivered a two-run double and Franmil Reyes homered and had two RBIS, helping Cleveland beat Toronto and earn a doubleheader split.
Miller’s double was part of a three-run first. Reyes hit a solo shot in the third and singled home Amed Rosario in the fifth. The Guardians were playing in their Mlbhigh third doubleheader, all at Progressive Field.
Triston Mckenzie (2-2) earned his second straight victory with six innings of two-run ball, striking out nine.
Bo Bichette had an RBI double in the first and Santiago Espinal doubled home a run in the second for Toronto, which had its final 20 hitters retired in order by Mckenzie and a trio of relievers. Ross Stripling (0-1) gave up four runs in four innings.
In the opener, George Springer and Raimel Tapia each drove in three runs in the first four innings against ace Shane Bieber.
Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (3-1) allowed one run and struck out five over 6 1/3 innings. The righthander issued his first walk of the season against his 137th batter, Reyes in the fourth, after 35 1/3 innings without a free pass.
Bieber (1-2) surrendered a career-high tying seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.
TWINS 1, ATHLETICS 0
MINNEAPOLIS — Jorge Polanco homered in the sixth inning and four Minnesota pitchers made it stand up, sending Oakland to its eighth straight loss.
Minnesota pitchers combined to strike out 15 while allowing just three hits.
Polanco had three of Minnesota’s five hits. Griffin Jax (2-0) earned the win with 1 2/3 innings in relief. Jhoan Duran struck out five in two innings for his second save.
James Kaprielian (0-2) surrendered one run on three hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven.
DODGERS 7, CUBS 0, 1st GAME
CHICAGO — Clayton Kershaw dominated over seven innings and Los Angeles beat Chicago in the opener of a split doubleheader.
Freddie Freeman doubled three times and scored twice, helping the NL West leaders win for the 16th time in 21 games. Austin Barnes homered and drove in three runs.
Kershaw (4-0) gave up five hits, struck out two and walked one, combining with two relievers on Los Angeles’ third shutout of the season.
Drew Smyly (1-3) lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs and six hits.
REDS 9, PIRATES 2, 1st GAME
CINCINNATI — Pittsburgh emergency catcher Josh Vanmeter had a rough time in his first try behind the plate since he was a teenager, and Cincinnati took advantage to end a nine-game losing streak in the opener of a doubleheader.
Pirates starting catcher Roberto Pérez was helped off the field with a left hamstring injury after falling while rounding second base in the top of the eighth. Backup catcher Andrew Knapp had been ejected in the bottom of the sixth.
Tyler Stephenson hit a tiebreaking, bases-loaded double in the eighth inning that fueled a seven-run burst. Tyler Naquin drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double.
Lucas Sims (1-0) earned the win. Wil Crowe (1-2) took the loss.