White Sox rally in ninth past Papelbon, Red Sox

BOSTON - If the Chicago White Sox end up winning the AL Central, Sunday's victory at Fenway Park may be a game that's talked about as the key to their late-season run.

Gordon Beckham's bases-loaded walk with two outs pushed Chicago ahead in a four-run ninth inning that lifted the White Sox to their sixth straight win and an improbable 7-5 comeback victory.

"It definitely feels like it's one of those ones we snatched away," Paul Konerko said.

The win completed a sweep of the three-game weekend series and came after Chicago trailed 5-3 entering the ninth and had two outs. The White Sox remained 3 1/2 games behind Central-leading Minnesota. The Red Sox are 10 behind the Yankees.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon (5-6) was one out away from the save, but Carlos Quentin's bloop RBI double to center cut the score to 5-4 before Ramon Castro tied it with a single.

"I don't want to say this could be the biggest game for us," manager Ozzie Guillen said, "but the happiest with how we did it."

Alex Rios walked leading off the ninth against Papelbon, stole second and scored when Quentin's bloop fell in front of diving centerfielder Ryan Kalish and skipped behind him. Quentin was alert and went to second when it was left uncovered as the middle infielders had headed to the outfield. Castro's liner to the right-center gap also fell in front of a diving Kalish.

"[Kalish] just couldn't get to it. He tried to make a great play," Boston manager Terry Francona said of Quentin's hit.

Papelbon walked Alexei Ramirez before Dustin Richardson relieved him and walked Mark Teahen. Robert Manuel entered and issued bases-loaded walks to Beckham and Juan Pierre, making it 7-5.

Papelbon gave up four runs, two hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. "I'm coming in, in a situation where every little thing matters," Papelbon said. "Bloop hit, ball right off the glove. Those things turned into being big things for them. An 0-and-2 walk and a bloop hit. I just didn't finish the job."

Victor Martinez had a two-run homer for the Red Sox. Manny Ramirez, who went 3-for-8 Saturday when the White Sox swept the twin bill, was not in the starting lineup Sunday, but was hit by a pitch from Papelbon on the right arm when he pinch hit. He left the field for a pinch runner, trotting off to a chorus of mostly boos. - AP