Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on Jul 23, 2009 3:00PM

Sox Edge Rays
It was another hotly contested affair between the Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night, with Chicago prevailing 4-3. Carlos Torres’ first big-league start was a quality one, as he allowed three runs over six pitched innings. The Sox’s offensive efforts were unproductive until Scott Podsednik broke the ice with a solo home run off Tampa starter James Shields in the sixth. Shields, sitting at a season-high 111 pitches, was lifted with one on and two away in the seventh, allowing the Sox to do some damage against the Rays’ bullpen. Consecutive hits by Podsednik, Alexei Ramirez and Jermaine Dye gave Chicago a one-run lead, and Matt Thorton successfully navigated the eighth and ninth to earn the save. The Sox will attempt to claim the four-game series when they take the field at 1:05 this afternoon.

Cubs Stop Phils
The Cubs ended Philadelphia’s 10-game unbeaten streak with a 10-5 win on Wednesday afternoon. Chicago strung together five straight hits off Jamie Moyer to start the fourth inning, resulting in 4-0 lead for the Cubbies. Another big rally in the seventh, this one of the three-run variety, gave Chicago all the offense it would need, as Carlos Zambrano limited the Phils to five runs over 6.2 innings. Aramis Ramirez and Jeff Baker both notched two-RBI doubles, and Ryan Theriot reached safely in four of six plate appearances. The hold went to Angel Guzman and the save to Kevin Gregg, who mopped up in the eighth and ninth, respectively. The Cubs get a day off today before opening a seven-game, N.L. Central home stand against the Reds and Astros.