Red Sox Crush White Sox 14-2 for 6th Straight Win as Durbin Sparks 6-Run First

Q: What does Brayan Bello's unexpected three-inning save reveal about the Red Sox's shifting pitching strategy?

Brayan Bello’s three-inning save suggests Boston is becoming more flexible and opportunistic with its pitching plan, using him as a multi-inning weapon rather than treating him strictly as a traditional starter or one-inning reliever. In this game, the score allowed the Red Sox to avoid using late-inning staples such as Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock or Justin Slaten. Bello finished the last three innings on only 28 pitches, recorded his first career save, and gave the bullpen a valuable night off. That points to a strategy focused on workload management as much as matchup leverage. It also reflects growing trust in Bello in a hybrid role. Since returning to the majors on July 12, he has allowed just one run in 16 2/3 innings over four appearances, and outside observers had already noted that he had been effective in relief and after openers. Tuesday’s outing reinforced that he can cover bulk innings cleanly and efficiently. More broadly, the Red Sox appear willing to blur conventional pitching roles. With injuries, roster churn and a deep bullpen, they can deploy Bello where he best preserves the staff: as length behind a starter, after an opener, or to close out a lopsided game. The save itself was unusual, but the message was clear: Boston sees Bello as part of a more adaptable pitching model, one designed to protect high-leverage relievers while extracting maximum value from arms that can get multiple innings.

3 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Aug 4

Boston buried AL Central-leading Chicago early, scoring six times in the first inning and rolling to a 14-2 win at Fenway for its sixth straight victory.
Caleb Durbin delivered the key blow with his first career grand slam, Jarren Duran followed with a solo homer, and Wilyer Abreu later added two home runs as the Red Sox scored six more in the sixth.
Patrick Sandoval worked five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts, to earn his first win since May 7, 2024.
The outburst came hours after Boston finalized trade-deadline additions including Adley Rutschman, Jake Rogers, Eli White and Erik Miller, reinforcing a club that has climbed into the second AL wild-card spot.
Since July 9, the Red Sox have hit 31 homers—most in the American League—signaling a shift from the small-ball approach that fueled their earlier surge.