Red Sox 5 - White Sox 0 (7/8/2026): Bennett's Stellar 7-Inning Shutout

The Boston Red Sox delivered a commanding performance against the Chicago White Sox, securing a 5–0 victory at Rate Field. This win marks an improvement in the Red Sox's record to 41-48, still placing them fourth in the AL East. Meanwhile, the White Sox, despite holding the top position in the AL Central, saw their record fall to 47-43.

Red Sox Dominate Early

The game began under clear skies with a sweltering temperature of 100 degrees, as the first pitch was thrown at 6:37 PM. In the third inning, the Red Sox found their groove, putting three runs on the board to break the early deadlock. Adding two more runs in the fourth inning, Boston established a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Jake Bennett showcased his pitching prowess with a sterling performance, earning the win to bring his season record to 3-3 and maintaining a 3.10 ERA. Bennett's seven innings of work saw him give up only four hits while striking out four White Sox batters.

White Sox Struggle to Find Momentum

The Chicago White Sox lineup faced a formidable challenge, unable to mount any offense against Bennett and the Boston bullpen. Their efforts resulted in just four hits across the game, with no player managing to cross home plate. Davis Martin, who started on the mound for the White Sox, endured a rough outing, pitching four innings and surrendering five runs on six hits.

Despite Martin's setback, the White Sox bullpen held the Red Sox scoreless for the remaining five innings. Connor Murphy, Seranthony Domínguez, Blake Hudson, and Trevor Richards combined for five innings of scoreless relief, allowing only four hits while striking out nine Boston batters.

Offensive Contributions from Boston

Boston's offense was led by contributions from several players, with Cheng, Narváez, and Rafaela driving in runs. Cheng's two RBI performance, alongside hits from Durbin, Abreu, and Yoshida, provided the necessary run support. The Red Sox collectively tallied 10 hits, including doubles from Rafaela, Durbin, and Abreu.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy can be pleased with his team's balanced attack and solid defense, as they executed a clean game without any errors. The victory on the road boosts their record away from Fenway to 24-21 for the season.

As both teams look ahead, the Red Sox remain on the road, set to play the White Sox once more before heading to face the New York Mets. Meanwhile, the White Sox will aim to bounce back in the series finale against Boston before hosting the Oakland Athletics at Rate Field.

With the win, Boston hopes to gain momentum in the challenging AL East division. For Chicago, staying atop the AL Central requires regrouping and refocusing, with plenty of games left to play in the season. Both teams will use this game to reassess strategies and player performances as they push deeper into July.