The Red Sox beat the White Sox Monday night, 5-4. Here's the game story. Check out Talking Points below.
BATTER OF THE GAME - Rusney Castillo
There was a time this season when the Red Sox couldn't get any offensive production whatsoever out of their right fielders. Now? They're getting too much. Whether it's Jackie Bradley Jr. or Rusney Castillo, whoever gets the start in right field seems to contribute on offense for the Sox. On Monday, it was Castillo, who drove in all five of the Red Sox runs thanks to a three-run home run in the second inning and a two-run double in the sixth inning. It's amazing what you can do when you get some loft under the ball, something Castillo wasn't doing earlier this season.
STARTER'S REPORT
The Joe Kelly train keeps on chugging, and it appears to be getting more powerful as it goes. Kelly earned his fifth straight win after lasting a season-high 7 1/3 innings Monday night in Chicago. His one big mistake was giving up a home run to Jose Abreu in the first inning - but Abreu is known for that. Kelly may be known as a "power pitcher," but he recorded 14 ground outs and just four strikeouts on the night. All four of the strikeouts came on either the breaking ball or the changeup, too. It's good to see Kelly mixing it up and not relying on a fastball that sometimes gives him control trouble.
Meanwhile, Jeff Samardzija failed to impress against the Sox. Samardzija will be a free agent after this season, but he'll also be 31. If the Red Sox do become more willing to go after post-30-year-old pitchers under Dave Dombrowski, you wouldn't say Samardzija sold himself very well. He allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Samardzija can thank Castillo for ruining his night.
BIG PLAY
The Castillo home run changed the game. The Sox had just gone down 1-0 in the game when Hanley Ramirez was hit with a pitch and Brock Holt singled to right field. Castillo came up and took a 1-1 pitch 415 feet to center field. That gave the Sox a 3-1 lead and they'd never look back.
WHAT I LIKED
Aside from Castillo, it has to be the start from Joe Kelly. This is a guy that might not have even been in the rotation if not for a bunch of injuries on the Sox pitching staff. But Kelly made the most of his opportunity and has now earned his spot in there. Five straight wins for the Sox righty after a 1-6 start to the season and a demotion to the minor leagues. Not too shabby.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
Hmm . . . Gee . . . I wonder?! Maybe another bad inning from Boston's bullpen? If it isn't one reliever, it's another. On Sunday it was Junichi Tazawa. On Monday it was Jean Machi. Take your pick on any given day. Though Machi didn't complete the blown save on Monday, he gave it a good shot. Entering with a 5-2 lead, Machi allowed two runs in the ninth before getting the final batter to foul out to left field with a man on base. Always an adventure with this bullpen.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Red Sox hope to keep the good times rollin' with Wade Miley on the mound Tuesday night. Like Kelly, Miley is rocking quite a mustache and has found some success on the mound since changing his look. He'll go up against Jose Quintana.