Pierzynski, White Sox edge Red Sox

Baseball Betting Lines

07/20/2007 - Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A.J. Pierzynski had three hits and knocked in three runs, and Paul Konerko homered, as the White Sox topped the Boston Red Sox, 4-2, in a game that started nearly two hours late due to rain.

Javier Vazquez (7-5) scattered nine hits and surrendered two runs over 6 1/3 innings to win his fourth straight decision, as the White Sox opened the four- game series on a positive note. Bobby Jenks threw the ninth inning for his 26th save, as Chicago won for the third time four games following a three-game skid.

"He's been doing it his last two outings. His last two outings he's been doing the same stuff, but he's stayed in the game and kept us close in the game," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Vazquez. "That's all you can ask from the starting pitcher. He battled against a pretty good hitting ball club."

Dustin Pedroia had three hits and knocked in a run for the Red Sox, who have lost three in a row and eight of 11. Boston lost a chance to increase its lead to eight games in the AL East over the Yankees, who lost at home to Toronto earlier in the day.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (11-7) was lifted after giving up two hits and three runs with a career-high six walks and six strikeouts in five-plus innings.

"First couple of hitters (Matsuzaka) was in his delivery so well," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "The ball was coming out of his hands so crisp. And then he ran into some spots where, what did he have, six walks, seemed like they were all grouped in. There were innings where he, not lost it but just didn't command for 15 pitches."

Matsuzaka walked Tadahito Iguchi, Jim Thome and Konerko to begin the sixth before giving up a two-run single to right by Pierzynski, which gave Chicago a 3-2 lead. That was the final batter for Matsuzaka, who was replaced by Manny Delcarmen. The White Sox loaded the bases later in the inning, but Delcarmen pitched out of trouble.

The Red Sox put two runners on base again in the seventh, but Manny Ramirez flew out to deep right-center field with Jerry Owens making the catch just in front of the wall. Ryan Bukvich struck out Kevin Youkilis to end the threat.

Hideki Okajima, who hadn't allowed a run in his previous 15 appearances, gave up a homer to Konerko leading off the eighth. Konerko belted a 1-1 offering over the Green Monster, tight to the left field line, for his 21st homer. Incredibly, it was just the second homer allowed by Okajima in 42 career games, as he gave up one to Kansas City's John Buck on his first pitch in the majors.

After the long delay, the White Sox struck immediately in the first. Thome and Konerko walked with two outs, and Pierzynski followed with an RBI single to right field.

Boston wasted a chance with runners at the corners in the first, but went ahead 2-1 in the next inning. Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek singled, and one out later Julio Lugo beat out a potential double play ball to tie the game. Coco Crisp and Pedroia followed with base hits to give the Red Sox the lead. However, Crisp was tagged out in a rundown to end the inning.

Game Notes

Lugo has a nine-game hitting streak...Vazquez is 2-4 lifetime against Boston...The Red Sox are 13-12 at Fenway Park since May 30...This was the first meeting between the teams this season. Boston went 4-2 in the 2006 matchup...Konerko has 13 homers and 30 RBI in his last 35 games beginning June 10.

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