CHICAGO – José ABEU shook off a three-run homer and a rested Carlos Rondón worked 5 innings effectively for the Chicago White Sox to beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Friday.
Cuban Luis Robert provided the other produced by Chicago, with a single, and the White Sox recovered from a tour in which they had a 2-4 record.
Chicago, leader of the Central Division of the American League, relied on outstanding innings by Craig Kimbrel and Liam Handriks, after the Red Sox tied in the seventh inning.
Boston fell for the fourth time in five innings but retained a one-game lead in the fight for the first wildcard ticket in the playoffs in the American League, as the New York Yankees fell 10-3 to the Mets.
The Red Sox also continued nine games behind Tampa Bay, which leads the Eastern Division of the American League and fell 10-4 to Detroit.
Stellar shortstop Xander Bogaerts returned after contracting COVID-19. However, the left ace Chris Surt enters the list of disabilities after testing positive for this disease.
Salt, seven times elected to the All-Star Game, also presented a mild case of COVID-19 in January, which required him to be quarantined for a couple of weeks.
Rodón (12-5) admitted one run and three hits in his first opening since Sept. 1. The left-hander specialized in the straight handed out seven strikes and did not deliver tickets.
Tanner Houck (0-4) was the loser.
For the Red Sox, the Puerto Ricans Kike Hernández 4-0, Christian Vázquez 4-2 with a push. Dominicans Rafael Devers 4-0, Danny Santana 4-1 with a score. The Cuban José Iglesias 2-0. Mexican Alex Botxí 2-1 with a tow.
For the White Sox, the Cubans Robert 5-1 with a push, Yoan Montcada 2-1 with a score, Abreu 4-1 with a score and 3 produced, Yasmani Grandal 3-0. Dominicans Eloy Jimenez 4-1, Leury Garcia 4-0. The Venezuelan César Hernández 3-1 with a score.