Scott Carroll pitches White Sox past Red Sox

Jul 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Scott Carroll (67) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

In his best game since his first two starts of the season, Scott Carroll rekindled some of that magic on Monday night, pitching the Chicago White Sox past the Boston Red Sox, 4-0, in a game played at Fenway Park.

Carroll showed up and pitched 6.2 shutout innings, providing the White Sox (43-47) with a very solid effort, one they’ve been waiting for since putting him back in the starting rotation in what was three starts ago.

The line for Carroll was one he may want to clip out of the newspaper or print off the web, as he allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. He finished with five strikeouts against the struggling Red Sox (three straight losses), who drop to 39-50 overall on the season.

Carroll (3-5) lowered his ERA from 5.05 to 4.52 on the season. He kept the Red Sox hitless through the first two innings. Former White Sox A.J. Pierzynski had the only hit allowed by Carroll. Jackie Bradley Jr. was the other Red Sox batter to have a hit off Javy Guerra.

The loss went to Boston’s Clay Buchholz (3-5). The Red Sox starter went seven innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out seven, with his ERA jumping to 6.11.

It was very good to see the No. 5 starting pitcher of the White Sox have a productive outing for the first time in a while. Carroll at times has shown he can be productive in a starter’s role, and Monday night was one of those nights.

This was the third shutout by the White Sox in ’14.

Jul 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Dayan Viciedo (24) is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a three run home-run against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Most of the success Carroll has had this season has been in the bullpen, and that’s where he is best served probably in the long run, but for at least one night in Boston, Carroll pitched extremely well and deserves credit for his work on the mound.

At the plate, Dayan Viciedo hit a three-run home run, putting the White Sox ahead 4-0 in the top of the fourth inning.

The first run of the game came in the top of the second when Adam Dunn hit a solo home run. The home run was his 453rd career shot, moving him ahead of Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski for 35th all-time. Next for Dunn to pass is Jose Canseco, who has for his career 462 homers.

This season, Dunn has 13 home runs on the season. For Monday, Dunn not only hit a home run, but also his a double and scored two runs.

It was good seeing Dunn hit the ball well Monday, though his batting average is just .229 on the season.

One problem with the game Monday was the top three batters in the White Sox order (Adam Eaton, Gordon Beckham and Jose Abreu) went a combined 1-for-12 with the hit coming off the bat of Abreu, who was selected to the All-Star game. Fellow All-Star Alexei Ramirez was 0-for-3 with one walk.