ESPN

Gordon Edes previews the four-game set between the Indians and Red Sox, including Terry Francona's return to Fenway Park.

CHICAGO -- Anything planned for Terry Francona upon his return to Fenway Park on Thursday night?

"Nothing," said Dustin Pedroia, the Sox second baseman and longtime Francona cribbage partner. "I got nothing."

Impressed by how well Francona's Indians are playing?

"Are they playing good?" Pedroia said. "We're about the Red Sox, man. That's it."

Um, OK. The Indians are in first place. How about that?

"Good. That's awesome."

David Ortiz was a bit more expansive about his former manager.

"I believe he's going to get a big ovation," Ortiz said. "I'm 100 percent sure. Tito, when he was our manager, he did a great job and it doesn't matter what happened afterward, he still got us to two World Series and that still is something that hasn't happened in a long time. People don't forget about that."

Asked how impressed he was by the Indians' being in first place, Ortiz replied: "Oh, they are?

"They're playing well, man. I mean, at least they have a manager who knows what he's doing, you know what I'm saying? That counts."

Hmm. Wonder whom Ortiz might have been alluding to there indirectly. Very doubtful it was a shot at Cleveland's manager last year, Manny Acta.

Red Sox manager John Farrell reiterated he expects Francona to receive a hero's welcome.

"I think it will be a special day when the series kicks off tomorrow," Farrell said. "I would fully expect he'd get a great welcome and a great ovation and deservedly so. That was eight incredible years that he spent [in Boston]."

CHICAGO -- Trying to hear soft-spoken Clay Buchholz in a raucous Red Sox clubhouse Wednesday night proved as daunting for some people (present company most definitely included) as trying to hit the unbeaten Red Sox right-hander.

Besides the usual postgame hip-hop on the clubhouse PA, Mike Napoli, a South Florida native, was standing inches away from a TV screen, loudly exhorting the Miami Heat to finish off the Indiana Pacers in the last minutes of overtime. LeBron James' buzzer-beater then set off some colorful commentary from David Ortiz, all delivered at a high-decibel level. "Has he been there before? Has he been there before? We've been there before," Ortiz proclaimed. Shane Victorino, meanwhile, grumbled something about James' having no range outside of 10 feet, which did not go unchallenged by Napoli.

It had been a little better in the office of manager John Farrell, who reflected on Buchholz's seven-inning, one-run outing and concluded, "He has certainly set the tone for us. The biggest thing is no one can sit on any one pitch in any count. That's what defines Clay Buchholz."

Buchholz actually labored a bit in the first inning. Alejandro De Aza led off with a single, but was cut down trying to steal by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, one of two baserunners thrown out by Saltalamacchia, who had come into the game having caught one of just 19 attempted base stealers.

Buchholz then walked the next two batters, but struck out Adam Dunn on a splitter and retired Paul Konerko on a liner to left.

The only run he allowed came in the third, when a walk and two groundouts -- the first of which the Sox just missed turning a double play on -- brought around Tyler Flowers to score (Flowers reached on an infield hit).

Buchholz gave up leadoff singles in each of the next three innings, too, but no Chicago runners advanced beyond first base until Konerko homered off reliever Andrew Bailey with two outs in the ninth.

"When any starter is throwing the ball well and getting deep into games, good things are going to happen," Buchholz said. "You're going to take your lumps and bumps in the road. But it's been fun. Hopefully, we'll just keep on striding."

For the ninth time in 10 starts, Buchholz held the opposition to two runs or fewer. He has held opponents scoreless three times, to one run twice. Only the Twins, with four runs on May 6, have been above that threshold. That is also the only start in which Buchholz has failed to pitch at least seven innings; he went six in that one.

Buchholz has given up a total of 14 runs in his first 10 starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only three starters have allowed fewer in that span: Pedro Martinez (10 in 2000), Josh Beckett (12 in 2011), and Bret Saberhagen (13 in 1999).

CHICAGO -- Well, glad we got that cleared up. What the rest of the world might view as a slump, Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury on Wednesday night insisted has been not much more than an inability to "find some grass out there."

Ellsbury had two singles and also walked twice in Wednesday night's 6-2 Red Sox win over the White Sox. He also singled and walked in his last two plate appearances Tuesday.

It was his first two-hit game since May 5, a span of 16 games, and only the second time this month he has reached base four times in a game. The other time came May 14 against Tampa Bay, when he singled, walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

He has not scored two or more times in a game since April 18, a span of 31 games, and has scored just 12 runs in that time, even with Mike Napoli driving in runs at a near-record rate in April and Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz hitting at a furious pace.

But Ellsbury on Wednesday night did not acknowledge that he has struggled, or that he has been in a slump, or employ any other term suggesting something has been amiss. Fact is, he was inclined not to talk at all, telling reporters he'd see them tomorrow, until thinking better of that idea.

His manager, John Farrell, has spoken openly of Ellsbury's struggles, admitting that the team has considered dropping him in the order. The reason he hasn't done so, Farrell indicated, is that he's not convinced that's the best way to get Ellsbury going. He also expressed confidence that Ellsbury will come out of it; most good hitters do.

Perhaps for Ellsbury, the first step toward effecting a turnaround is denying the need for one. If that works for him, no one on Yawkey Way will complain.

"I feel like I've been having good at-bats," Ellsbury said. "Fortunately tonight, I found some grass in the outfield. I've had quite a few swings that have been the same, balls just haven't got out there. I just have to stick with the plan, have a good approach, have a good plan and it's a matter of sticking to the plan."

He couched several of his responses in the same language -- approach, plan, stick to it. "All I can do is hit the ball hard and find some grass," he said.

"Got to keep my confidence, have fun, go up there knowing that it's all a matter of time before all that hard work pays off."

Chances are, he's right. Healthy players, their talent doesn't just melt away.

CHICAGO -- Before each game, a detailed scouting report of that night's opposing pitcher is placed on the stool in front of every Red Sox player's locker.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that was not the case in Wednesday night's 6-2 win over the White Sox, in which undefeated Clay Buchholz raised his record to 7-0 despite an apparent case of Chicago chicanery.

Whatever the bottom four hitters in the Red Sox order were given, it could not have been the skinny on White Sox left-hander Hector Santiago, who was pitching on three days' rest because Chicago ace Chris Sale had been scratched with a case of mild tendinitis in his shoulder.

Daniel Nava, Will Middlebrooks, Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia faced Santiago for a total of nine at-bats: Nava three times, the others twice apiece. The first eight at-bats produced the same outcome: a strikeout. Nava fouled out to first in the last one.

Someone obviously left substitute reading material in place of the scouting report. The leading suspects are menus from Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, final exams from nearby Illinois Tech, or liner notes from Chicago Symphony maestro Riccardo Muti.

Who made the switch? Well, it can be reliably reported that el hombre grande, 87-year-old Minnie Minoso, was spotted in the tunnel of U.S. Cellular Field Wednesday afternoon, and he was smiling. White Sox officials say that's Minnie's normal demeanor, but conspiracy theorists know better.

Subterfuge? What do you think? Once Santiago departed after the sixth inning, a semblance of normalcy returned. Nava drew a walk to load the bases in the eighth inning. Middlebrooks followed with a sacrifice fly to right that padded Boston's lead by a run. Drew walked. And after a passed ball scored another run, Saltalamacchia struck out, but in his defense, he also fouled a pitch painfully off his instep before going down swinging (plus, he'd singled in his previous at-bat).

In the ninth, Nava broke the game open with a two-run single.

Besides, Buchholz didn't need any more help than he got from David Ortiz in the first inning, when Papi took a one-handed swing and plinked a ball into left field for a two-run single, the hit scoring Jonny Gomes, who had been hit by a pitch, and Dustin Pedroia, whose fly ball into the left-field corner fell safely for a double.

In the same inning, Papi also stole third base for the first time in his career, though his derring-do on the bases went unrewarded. It did, however, guarantee that Terry Francona will have something to say about it if someone thinks to ask him Thursday in Fenway Park.

The White Sox scored once off Buchholz, Tyler Flowers coming around to score after an infield hit, a walk and two ground-ball outs in the third. Flowers was the only White Sox runner to advance past second base in Buchholz's seven innings.

He gave up just five singles, all to lead off an inning. He walked three. Saltalamacchia threw out two would-be base stealers after throwing out one in 19 previous attempts this season. The Sox turned a double play.

Buchholz became the first Sox pitcher to open 7-0 since Josh Beckett opened 7-0 in 2007 en route to the only 20-win campaign of his career. Matt Moore of the Rays and Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks are the only other pitchers who have won at least seven without losing so far this season.

Buchholz has made 10 starts this season, and in only one of them has he allowed more than two runs. He has held the opposition scoreless three times, to one run twice. He has gone at least seven innings in all but one of his starts, and his ERA is now a league-leading 1.71, less than half the league average ERA of 4.14.

Thus the Sox return home from this three-city swing with a 6-3 record on the trip and a half-game behind the Yankees in the AL East. The Sox will be further buoyed by slumping leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury, who reached base four times Wednesday on two singles and two walks, and by the return of closer Andrew Bailey, who gave up a two-out home run to Paul Konerko in his first appearance since April 28.

They open a four-game set with Tito's Tribe, the Indians the unexpected leaders of the AL Central. Expect hugs, wisecracks, references to Millsy and Pedey, and a standing ovation for Francona. Just don't expect the Sox to show him any quarter.

The 8th annual "Futures at Fenway" game will be held Saturday, July 27, at Fenway Park, featuring the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs against the Harrisburg Senators. Tickets went on sale today at noon, and range from $5 (bleachers) to $30 (premium seats).

One of the top Red Sox prospects, infielder Xander Bogaerts, is currently a member of the Sea Dogs and is scheduled to play, along with other possible future MLB stars.

Also, for the first time, fans can bring their dogs to Fenway for a pregame parade. Shaded sections will be available for owners and their pets during game time. Waivers can be downloaded at redsox.com/futures

Afterward the action, the band The KIDZ BOP Kids is scheduled to perform.

For tickets, call redsox.com/futures or call (877) REDSOX-9.

CHICAGO -- Jose Iglesias has played 334 games in professional baseball since defecting from Cuba, including 41 in the big leagues.

Tuesday afternoon in Pawtucket, the 23-year-old Iglesias played his first-ever game at third base, which improbably could be his ticket back to the big leagues.

No, the Sox are not planning to convert Iglesias to third baseman. If they do so with any of their shortstop prospects, it would be Xander Bogaerts, who has the build and power to play a corner position. But as Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reported on Monday, the PawSox began having Iglesias taking groundballs at second -- a position he told reporters he has played in Cuba -- and at third, an entirely new position for him.

The idea, Red Sox manager John Farrell said here Tuesday, is to increase Iglesias' versatility in the event they need to call up a backup infielder. Earlier this season, when there was some question as to whether third baseman Will Middlebrooks would be able to play with sore ribs, infielder Brock Holt was on standby in case the Sox needed to summon another player.

"Not unlike other guys that have come to the big leagues, Jed Lowrie, for example, is another guy we exposed to multiple positions, we're looking to do the same with Jose right now," Farrell said. "In the event something happens to someone, prepare the best we can if he comes to us in a role we might call on his versatility.

"We know he can play shortstop. If we get him consecutive days, multiple days at second or third [we'll do so]," he said.

The Red Sox have a veteran infielder who can play second, third and short in Drew Sutton, but he was on the disabled list earlier this month with Pawtucket after straining a muscle in his side. Iglesias would give them another option.

Iglesias made an error at third Tuesday. He also singled and walked after hitting a home run on Monday.

He is batting .209 overall.

* Daniel Bard is throwing only side sessions for Double-A Portland for the time being, Farrell said. No time has been set for him to return to game action, but he remains on the active roster.

* David Ross, who continues his recovery from concussive symptoms, will be sent on a brief rehab assignment before the end of the week, Farrell said.

* Shane Victorino remains day to day with a left hamstring strain. The Sox are holding off on any move to the DL.

CHICAGO -- The Boston Red Sox took a soaking in any number of ways Tuesday night.

Colombian left-hander Jose Quintana held them without a hit until David Ortiz's broken-bat single with one out in the seventh.

The skies opened up and poured down on U.S. Cellular Field for the final two innings.

Jeff Keppinger spoiled an otherwise good night by Felix Doubront with a two-run homer in the fifth, and Alex Rios doubled home a run in the eighth, as for the second straight game the opportunistic White Sox scored all of their runs after two were out.

And the White Sox made it two straight wins over the Red Sox with a 3-1 win in which the Sox loaded the bases in the seventh and failed to score, and were given a gift run on an error by Chicago shortstop Alexei Ramirez in the eighth, only to have Ortiz hit into an inning-ending double play.

Small comfort for the Sox? Jacoby Ellsbury ended an 0-for-10 skid with a ground-ball single in the eighth.

Doubront was sharp, allowing just five hits in six innings, three coming with two out in the fifth.

On the downside, Dustin Pedroia's 11-game hitting streak came to an end. Will Middlebrooks and Stephen Drew whiffed against Jesse Crain with the bases loaded in the seventh.

CHICAGO -- If you've been watching, you don't need an explanation for why Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell said dropping Jacoby Ellsbury from the leadoff spot in the order has been considered.

"Consider it yes, but we're sticking with him," Farrell said Tuesday. "Giving him the opportunity to get out of the situation he is in now. But I can say this: Whether he's hitting first or hitting somewhere else in the lineup, there are still things we have to address, and he has to address."

But we'll enlighten you a little further with this breakdown of his plate appearances in the six games in which he has played on this trip (he sat out Sunday).

Ellsbury has grounded out a dozen times, including four times to second base in Monday night's 6-4 loss. He has popped up twice, struck out twice, flied out four times and lined out once. He has drawn three walks, been hit by a pitch once. And he has three singles -- a ground ball up the middle, an infield hit to short, and a line single to center.

Ellsbury came into Tuesday night's game with a slash line of .241/.303/.335/.638. His OPS of .638 ranks 26th among major league leadoff hitters with enough at-bats to qualify. Ellsbury broke an 0-for-10 skid with an eighth-inning single up the middle Tuesday in Boston's 3-1 loss to the White Sox. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk, raising his average to .242.

Among big league hitters with at least 75 plate appearances in May, Ellsbury ranked last with a .179 batting average heading into Tuesday. He is third from last this month in on-base percentage (.256), second from last in slugging percentage (.218). He has two extra-base hits -- a double and triple -- in 81 at-bats this month. He has gone 165 at-bats since his last home run, which came April 7 in Toronto, one of six Sox hits that day. That's the longest homerless drought by far on the ballclub.

Ellsbury has had little success this season when he has pulled the ball. Heading into Tuesday, he was 6-for-41 (.146) when he hits to the right side. In his breakout season, 2011, he batted .462 (72-for-156) when he pulled the ball.

Since returning from his shoulder injury last July 12 and through Monday, Ellsbury had played in 111 games, and has had 468 at-bats, close to a full season for many players, and certainly not a small sample size. Even allowing for the time needed to come back from such a long layoff, Ellsbury's performance over that span has been a disappointing .263/.309/.361/.670. That OPS is 258 percentage points below the .928 he posted in his career year, 2011, and 100 percentage points below the .770 he posted in 2009, which may be a more accurate barometer of his ability.

"It comes down to timing," Farrell said Tuesday afternoon. "Timing at the plate. Whether it's four ground balls to second base or three line drives to third base. He's in a situation where he's working to do what he can to get out of this, and we're working there with him. This isn't a matter of effort, it's a matter of maybe being a little more free of mind and letting that natural ability take over."

An obvious potential burden mentally is the fact that Ellsbury is in his walk year, and with free agency looming, he recognizes that a prolonged slump could cost him millions in the future.

"To say that's the sole reason, no, I wouldn't say that's the issue that he's dealing with right now," Farrell said. "I also know that he's human, and understands where he's at in his career and what's ahead of him. But the point we keep trying to make is the routine of today is the most important point and that's the focal point.

"What's going to take place throughout the remainder of the season and into the offseason, time will indicate that and it will be addressed at the appropriate time. So I can't say pending free agency is the cause of his inconsistency at the plate."

Farrell might have been moved to drop Ellsbury in the lineup Tuesday night, but couldn't because of the unavailability of Shane Victorino, who is day-to-day with a tight left hamstring.

"We're trying to keep some element of speed at the top of the order," he said. "But that's not the overriding thing. It's still where Jake has hit most of his career. With Shane out of the lineup, yeah we'd like that blend of speed and on-base ability, even though the on-base ability right now has been less so."

The Sox have reason to be concerned about Ellsbury's performance, though some perspective is required. Even with Ellsbury slumping, the Sox are still second in the majors with a .342 OBP.

And on this date in 2009, some folks were writing David Ortiz's professional obituary, because he was batting .211 with one home run and a .642 OPS. After that point, Ortiz hit 27 home runs and posted an .848 OPS over the remainder of the season.

It's always risky to play amateur psychologist. Slumps, at least most of them, defy explanation. The same may hold true for Ellsbury's.

After dazzling in his first two Grapefruit League starts in spring training, Rubby De La Rosa became one of the most talked-about young players in Red Sox Nation. After all, it was his first time pitching in a Red Sox uniform after being sent over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason to complete the August 2012 megatrade, and he looked dominant while lighting up radar guns with a fastball that grazes triple digits.

However, after those first two outings, the reality set in that he still had work to do in developing as a pitcher and returning to form following Tommy John surgery in August 2011. De La Rosa allowed seven earned runs in his next two Grapefruit League outings over 2 2/3 innings, and was optioned back to minor league camp soon thereafter.

He headed north with the Pawtucket Red Sox to begin the season, and the same problems he experienced late in major league camp seemed to carry over early on for him there. In his first three starts with the team, De La Rosa posted an ERA of 13.50 over 6 2/3 innings to go along with seven strikeouts versus six walks.

His fourth start of the season was a turning point, though, and since then he has not allowed an earned run in 18 innings, while striking out 22 and walking eight.

"I think he got beat up a couple outings, and I think that kind of humbled him a little bit," Pawtucket manager Gary DiSarcina said. "He realized -- talking to [pitching coach] Rich [Sauveur] too, Rich has been on him on a daily basis about pitching -- I just think his demeanor has changed over the last [five] outings."

Since he is still working back from Tommy John surgery and has maxed out at 110 1/3 innings pitched in a past season, the organization has taken a cautious approach and kept him on a strict pitch count so far this season. In his first six starts of the season he was allowed to throw around 50-55 pitches, but in his past two that limit has been upped to 70-75 per game. The manager thought the expanded workload may be relieving some pressure on the 24-year-old right-hander.

"He kind of sees the light at the end of the tunnel as far as cutting him loose a little more with each positive outing he has," DiSarcina said. "He gets to go out there a little bit longer. He wants to get a win. All these guys want to get wins, and when you're on a pitch count and limit, it's tough to feel the motivation to go out there and go for the win. We're all competitors."

Sauveur had a slightly different explanation for his turnaround, however.

"To be honest with you, I think a talk with myself and I think talking with Pedro Martinez has helped him a lot," his pitching coach said. "He needed to focus [on] what his job was out there -- not worry about the pitch count, not worry about innings, just worry about what his goal is. And every day his goal is to pitch scoreless innings, and he's been doing that, he's been doing a great job [recently]."

Back in De La Rosa's home country of the Dominican Republic, his grandmother was Martinez's nanny, so they share a natural connection. He said they have a strong relationship that has helped him a lot already this season.

(Read full post)

CHICAGO -- One potential obstacle to Clay Buchholz's remaining undefeated when he takes the mound Wednesday was removed when the White Sox announced that ace left-hander Chris Sale has been scratched because of what the team called a mild case of tendinitis.

Instead of facing Sale, Buchholz (6-0) is scheduled to oppose left-hander Hector Santiago, who didn't make it out of the fourth inning against the Angels in his last start.

One of the keys to Buchholz's success this season has been the effectiveness of his cutter, demonstrated here by numbers provided by Michael Bonzagni of ESPN Stats & Information.

In his last start Saturday night, in which he allowed two runs in seven innings in Minnesota and was not involved in the decision, Buchholz threw his cutter 21 times. Twins hitters went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk in at-bats ending with the cutter.

Bonzagni compared Buchholz's cutter this season with last and noted a drop in average velocity of 1.5 miles per hour, from 89.3 to 87.8 mph. The drop in velocity, however, was accompanied by a significant change in the pitch's horizontal movement, from 1.8 inches last season to 3.4 inches this season. That change has resulted in a huge difference in opposing hitters' slash lines against the pitch. Last season, they batted .248 with a slugging percentage of .323. This season, it's a .135 average, with a .154 slugging percentage. The strikeout percentage on the pitch also has risen, from 13.8 percent last season to 17.2.

I presented Bonzagni's numbers to Buchholz, and he acknowledged that he is basically throwing two different cutters this season. “I throw one that's a get-me-over pitch that I throw a little harder," he said, “and the other is more of a put-away pitch, which I take something off. It's almost like having two different pitches. It's a matter of changing the grip and how much pressure I apply to the ball with my fingertips."

According to Inside Edge, Buchholz has allowed only two well-hit balls in 52 at-bats ending with his cutter (.038 well-hit average). Last season, he allowed 25 well-hit balls in 133 at-bats ending with his cutter (.188 well-hit average).

“I think it's more feel on Clay's part," manager John Farrell said. “When you reduce the velocity, you're probably going to increase the break. Those go hand in hand. So, this is more about Clay getting a better feel for his pitch mix and what he's determined to be most effective in the four-pitch mix that provides more definition in keeping his fastball and cutter from blending into each other.

"I think the swing and miss and reaction of the hitters tells you more than anything. And it's clear that he's got very good stuff."

CHICAGO -- Two months into what is supposed to be a three-year tour of duty in Boston, the last thing Shane Victorino wants is to become known as the Limpin’ Hawaiian.

But Victorino, who has been tormented by back problems that caused him to miss seven games altogether and come out of several others early, was forced to leave Monday night’s game when he felt his left hamstring grab in the sixth inning while running the bases.

Victorino had just beaten out an infield hit with two out in the sixth and was sprinting from first to third on Dustin Pedroia’s drive to center field that was caught on the track when he felt the muscle grab.

“I tried to keep running,’’ he said, “but I didn’t have the strength I usually have there.’’

Victorino actually returned to his position in right field at the end of the at-bat, but gave in to prudence, trotting back into the dugout.

Daniel Nava finished the game in right field, while Jonny Gomes took over for Nava in left.

“Frustrating,’’ Victorino said. “I want answers why. I don’t know if it’s all connected, but I just want answers.’’

Manager John Farrell said Victorino is day to day. Victorino said he’d have to wait and see how he feels before deciding whether to give it a go Tuesday night. With leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury in a prolonged slump (3-for-24 on the current road trip, including four ground balls to second base Monday), the Sox can ill afford to lose Victorino at the top of the order.

CHICAGO -- Jon Lester and the Red Sox can live with this pace, one loss every 10 starts.

The distinction of being undefeated in the Red Sox rotation now rests exclusively with Clay Buchholz, who will be putting his 6-0 record on the line Wednesday against the same White Sox team that handed Lester his first loss Monday night, 6-4, on a summery, 86-degree night in Chicago.

This is a city that has held its share of disappointments for Lester. It was here in 2010 that Lester came down to his last start of the season needing a win to reach 20 for the season, still the gold standard for big-league pitchers.

Instead, Paul Konerko hit a grand slam and the White Sox chased Lester in the fifth after scoring eight runs.

On Monday night, it was another White Sox strongman, Adam Dunn, who put the squeeze to Lester, following a two-out single by Alex Rios and a walk to Konerko with a towering three-run home run in the first inning, sending the White Sox on their way to victory.

Overall, Lester has a 5.43 ERA in 10 career starts against the White Sox, his highest against any American League team, which is something he can’t even begin to explain. The last thing he wants to do is allow the White Sox to get in his head.

“I’m not going to shy away from me,’’ he said. “They want us to overthink things.’’

Lester had allowed just one first-inning run in his first nine starts. Dunn’s home run was only the second he has allowed this season to a left-handed hitter, and the first he has allowed with two outs in an inning.

The White Sox did all their damage with two outs, tacking on two runs on three consecutive two-out doubles in the second, the runs knocked in by Alejandro de Aza and Alexei Ramirez, and an unearned run in the fifth, an RBI single by Dayan Viciedo bringing home Ramirez, who had reached on an error by Will Middlebrooks.

The Red Sox made a game of it, getting two runs back on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s fifth home run of the season, which came off White Sox starter Dylan Axelrod in the third, and a two-run double by Middlebrooks in the seventh. They led off each of the last four innings with base hits, and ended four of the last five innings with fly balls that were caught on the warning track.

“I know no matter whether I give up 10 runs or no runs, these guys are going to battle every at-bat,’’ Lester said. “You know that. You’ll never hear anyone in this clubhouse question that. It’s just like they expect me after the first inning to continue to battle, after the second, try not to let the bullpen go in too early.’’

Lester lasted six innings, but was left to lament the first. Specifically, the walk to Konerko, and the 2-and-0 cutter he threw to Dunn that landed 391 feet later in the right-field seats.

“I’ve got to do a better job with Paulie there, just not walking him, giving him a chance to bat in that inning,’’ Lester said. “I didn’t do a good job there. I ended up leaving a guy that’s got stupid pop a cutter down the middle, and he did with it what he’s supposed to.’’

Lester rejected the suggestion that given Konerko’s track record against him (.435 average, 3 home runs), it made sense to pitch around him, especially with first base open, and take his chances with the left-handed hitting Dunn.

“It was only the first inning,’’ he said of going after Konerko. “I felt like I was throwing pretty well downhill, but for whatever reason, I got out of sync with him, left some balls off the plate.

“Really the guy right now swinging the bat is Dunn. That’s the one you have to be be careful with. I was kind of trying to stay away, maybe get him to fly to left, but just left a cutter middle, middle up. I threw him the same pitch later in the game and he popped it up.’’

Dunn came into the game batting just .169, but his home run was his fifth in the last seven games, and 11th overall.

CHICAGO -- Jon Lester’s teammates would not let him go down to defeat without putting up a fight.

Down 5-0 after two innings, Lester having served up a three-run home run to White Sox strongman Adam Dunn in the first and three two-out doubles that produced two more runs in the second, the Red Sox put the leadoff man on base in each of the last four innings and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth.

But White Sox closer Addison Reed, after being greeted with a single by Mike Napoli to start the ninth, allowed the Sox to draw no closer, although not without an anxiety-producing moment for Chicago manager Robin Ventura. Reed struck out Daniel Nava, then watched as Will Middlebrooks launched a drive that died on the warning track in the center. First baseman Paul Konerko then made a sprawling stop of Stephen Drew’s ground ball and flipped to Reed to end it.

Reed was credited with his 15th save of the season.

Lester lost for the first time in 10 starts as he was unable to become the first Sox left-hander to open a season 7-0 since Rogelio Moret won his first 10 decisions in 1973. All six runs he allowed came after two were out.

Ells has no pull: Jacoby Ellsbury’s miserable trip continued, as he grounded to second base on all four of his plate appearances, once for a double play. Ellsbury is batting just .125 (3-for-24) on this road trip, and this is a ballpark in which he traditionally hits well. He came into the game batting .325 in the Cell.

Ellsbury has had little success this season when he has pulled the ball. He’s 6-for-41 (.146) when he pulls to the right side. In his breakout season, 2011, he batted .462 (72-for-156) when he pulled the ball.

Victorino departs early: After beating out an infield single in the sixth, Shane Victorino returned to his position in the bottom of the inning but decided he could not go on. The Red Sox announced during the game that Victorino had tightness in his left hamstring. Nava moved from left to right, with Jonny Gomes finishing the game in left.

Pedroia extends streak: Dustin Pedroia’s infield single in the fourth extended his hitting streak to 11 games. He went 1-for-4 Monday night and is batting .449 (22-for-49) during the streak.

Double the pleasure for Will: Middlebrooks hit his 12th double Monday night, driving in two runs, giving him seven RBIs in eight games on the trip. But the third baseman also was charged with an error and was unable to glove two balls down the line that went for doubles.

Drew back: Shortstop Stephen Drew was back after being kept out of two games with back stiffness and had a busy night afield, handling nine chances. He walked and scored a run, flied out to the track in left and was called out on strikes.