(Sports Network) - It's a shame both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox have been eliminated from postseason contention with the pitching matchup on tap for tonight's continuation of a four-game series from U.S. Cellular Field.
Boston will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and dropped a 5-4 decision in Tuesday's second installment of this series. J.D. Drew and David Ortiz both homered, while Adrian Beltre and Jed Lowrie had an RBI apiece for the Red Sox, who had won four of five games and were coming off Monday's 6-1 win in the series opener.
"When the season is over, I know there is time to reflect and everything on what happened and what ifs. I guess disappointment. It's no fun going home before you want to, regardless of what's happened," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
John Lackey got the start for Boston and did not record a decision for allowing two runs and three hits in six innings. Michael Bowden was the loser for allowing the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. White Sox pinch-hitter Dayan Viciedo singled home Juan Pierre with two outs.
Josh Beckett draws the start tonight for the BoSox and is 6-5 with a 5.77 earned run average in 20 starts this season. Beckett has won two of three starts and defeated the New York Yankees in the Bronx his last time out on Friday. In the 10-8 victory Beckett was reached for five runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.
The right-hander has fared well in his career against Chicago, going 4-1 in seven starts to go along with a 3.38 earned run average.
Carlos Quentin hit a two-run homer and both Paul Konerko and Brent Morel added an RBI for the White Sox, who have won five of six games and are out of the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
"You never want to go into the offseason with too much of a sour taste," Pierre said. "It's going to be sour because we are going to be watching others in October. We can end on a good note and carry it over to Spring Training and get ready for next year."
Viciedo's RBI in the home ninth made a winner of Chris Sale, who turned in two solid relief innings. Starter Edwin Jackson worked the first seven frames and allowed four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
Winless in his last three starts (0-1), Freddy Garcia will handle pitching duties for the Pale Hose Wednesday. Garcia threw six innings of one-run ball in last Friday's 2-1 win against the LA Angels of Anaheim and did not figure into the decision. He remained at 11-6 in 27 starts to go along with a 4.74 earned run average.
Garcia, a right-hander, has 15 starts in his career against Boston, going 7-2 over that stretch with a subpar 4.53 ERA. He is 6-3 in 12 home starts this season.
Chicago swept a three-game set from the Red Sox from Sept. 4-5 and has won eight of the previous 10 tilts in this series.