Red Sox  1    White Sox  5

Recap: Chicago WSox vs. Boston

Sports Network | September 7, 2009

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mark Buehrle pitched into the eighth for his first win since his perfect game, and the Chicago White Sox defeated the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, at U.S. Cellular Field to wrap up a four-game set.

Buehrle (12-7), who was 0-4 in his last eight starts since his historic outing against Tampa Bay, allowed one run on eight hits and two walks while fanning four in seven-plus frames. Former Boston outfielder Mark Kotsay had two hits and two RBI for the White Sox, who took three games in the series.

"I don't sign anybody's contract -- that's not my job -- but (Kotsay's) value to me...he can do so many things," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He knows his role and is a veteran player and tries to help the kids. When he gets a chance to play, he goes out there and does his best. Right now, he's swinging the bat pretty good."

Carlos Quentin added a two-run homer, as Chicago won for the fifth time in six games.

Kevin Youkilis knocked in Boston's only run, as the Red Sox fell to nine games behind the Yankees in the AL East. Their lead over Texas in the AL wild card chase was reduced to 2 1/2 games.

Josh Beckett (14-6) remained winless in his last five starts, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings.

Boston grabbed the lead in the first. Jacoby Ellsbury singled to lead off, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Youkilis' two-out single.

The White Sox went ahead with three runs in the third. Jayson Nix was hit by a pitch, and Scott Podsednik singled him to second. Alexei Ramirez put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and A.J. Pierzynski scored Nix on a groundout to tie the game.

Jermaine Dye followed with a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. Kotsay then singled home Podsednik and Dye for a 3-1 edge.

"The walk ended up backfiring," Beckett said. "I had a situation where I had first base open, and the guy in their lineup (Dye) you know you don't want to let beat you. With Buehrle pitching, you know you want to limit the damage. Then I hang a breaking ball to Kotsay, and he gets a base hit."

The Red Sox loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth for Victor Martinez, who flied out to center field.

Buehrle kept Boston off the scoreboard through seven and was lifted for Tony Pena after giving up a leadoff single to Martinez in the eighth. Pena retired all three hitters he faced, and Quentin added a two-run homer in the home half to put the game out of reach.

The two teams tied the season series, 4-4...Beckett has allowed 27 runs in his last 31 1/3 innings pitched...Quentin's home run was his 16th of the season...With Buehrle working quickly, the game was completed in just two hours and 25 minutes.