White Sox salvage win in series, defeat Red Sox 7-2

BOSTON -- Chris Flexen can't win, even when he's good.

The White Sox right-hander's streak of winless starts reached 21 Sunday, despite pitching six innings of two-run ball against the Red Sox. But the Sox' streak of 20 losses in games Flexen starts came to a halt, thanks to a five-run ninth giving them a 7-2 win to avoid a series sweep.

Dominic Fletcher made a diving catch in right field and threw out Jarren Duran at home and drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the ninth, which also included a two-run single by Zach DeLoach.

Flexen struck out six, walked one and allowed six hits, leaving after six innings of a tie game.

The Sox had lost the last 20 games started by Flexen.

"Being able to throw up a strong quality start was a big one there," Flexen (5.23 ERA) said. "Just stick to the routine, continue to work hard and obviously not give up. And compete. That’s all you can do."

Wilyer Abreu's 16th homer, off a Flexen sinker below the bottom of the strike zone, tied it at 2 in the bottom of the sixth, denying Flexen a chance for a win.

"Even though we’ve been struggling a little bit lately, we want to go out there and compete and try to win every game," Fletcher said.

Fewer meetings for Grady

Sizemore has held fewer meetings than Pedro Grifol.

“I’d say I do it in a different, more casual way,” Sizemore said. “We’re not [having] formal meetings, just talking about what we like for each series and we probably focus more on our team rather than the other team. We’re trying to focus on what our guys need to do to get better and use their strengths, and maybe not so much on the other team.

"Today's game was very clean. We took care of the ball, made good throws and played good baseball."

Ramos waits

Third baseman Bryan Ramos was called up from Charlotte Thursday but hadn’t seen action, giving way to Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa, until he pinch ran for Andrew Vaughn and scored in the ninth inning.

“It’s tough. Try to maybe work him and [Vargas] together at third and maybe get some DH days for him as well,” Sizemore said. “These last 20 games or so, try to get some of the younger guys as many looks as I can and get some of the veteran guys days off. But it’s going to be tough trying to find spots for everybody.”

Monster confidence

Gus Varland, Jared Shuster and Justin Anderson wrote their names inside the Green Monster at Fenway Park Saturday, the second time for Vargas, who did it with the Dodgers last season.

“It’s iconic,” Varland said. “When the video game came out in 2005 with Manny Ramirez on the cover came out I really started getting into baseball. To go in there and see it, let alone sign it, like a childhood dream come true.”

Varland gave up two runs on three hits in an inning Friday at Fenway, but he owns a 2.52 ERA with 15 strikeouts and two walks in 10 2/3 innings since being claimed on waivers from the Dodgers.

“Being a rookie last year was nerve-wracking,” Varland said. “I was pitching a little careful but this year I’m just letting it rip. Just being comfortable and having self-belief. I knew I had good stuff but truly believing it is another thing. It turned a corner for me.”