Caleb Durbin Hits 13th-Inning Walk-Off as Red Sox Edge White Sox 12-11

Boston extended its Red Sox winning streak to eight games after Caleb Durbin drove in Nick Sogard to conclude a 4-hour, 23-minute marathon.

Caleb Durbin lined a walk-off single to center field off Erick Fedde in the 13th inning to score Nick Sogard, securing a 12-11 victory for the Boston Red Sox over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night. This result extended the Red Sox winning streak to eight games and marked the team's 10th win in their last 11 contests. The back-and-forth affair lasted 4 hours and 23 minutes, ranking as the second-longest game since the pitch clock was introduced in 2023. Boston made MLB history by becoming the first team to score in five consecutive innings during the ninth inning or later, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Brayan Bello (4-6) earned the win after pitching the final two scoreless innings as the ninth pitcher used by interim manager Chad Tracy. Erick Fedde (6-7) took the loss for Chicago, serving as the eighth pitcher utilized by the visitors. The Red Sox offense featured a two-run home run from Connor Wong and three RBIs from Anthony Seigler, who also crossed the plate once. Wilyer Abreu contributed two RBIs, including a crucial game-tying hit in the bottom of the ninth inning to erase a 7-6 White Sox lead. Chicago had held advantages in four straight extra innings, but Boston matched them in each frame until the 13th.

Historical Milestones and Expansion Era Records

With this victory, Boston has now won 10 consecutive series and 13 straight games against opponents with winning records. This 13-game run ties the longest such streak by any club in the expansion era, which began in 1961. Additionally, the Red Sox have swept six series against first-place teams this year, setting a new single-season high for the expansion era per Elias. "This game, if anything, exemplifies who we are now," Durbin noted after the win. "There's never any doubt."

Andruw Monasterio fueled the Chicago offense with two RBI doubles, while Chase Meidroth provided early power. Meidroth hit his 10th home run of the season, a blast over the Green Monster in the third inning off Ranger Suarez. That third inning saw Chicago score three runs on three hits, forcing Suarez to throw 42 pitches in the frame. Suarez was removed after the third, having allowed three runs on 70 total pitches. On the other side, White Sox starter Luis Castillo lasted four innings, surrendering five runs on six hits, including the homer to Wong.

Injury Reports and Roster Absences

The White Sox suffered a significant loss in the seventh inning when catcher Joey Bart was forced to exit the game. Bart sustained a fifth metacarpal fracture in his left hand and is scheduled for further evaluation. Chicago had initially built a 4-0 lead following the three-run third inning before Boston began its rally. The Red Sox played the contest without first baseman Willson Contreras, who was sidelined for a second consecutive game due to an undisclosed illness.

Interim manager Chad Tracy praised the resilience of the roster, stating the players simply did not want to lose. The Red Sox bench depth proved vital, as Durbin emphasized the trust shared among the lineup and substitute players. After the White Sox were held scoreless in the top of the 13th, Sogard reached base to set the stage for Durbin’s game-winning line drive. This victory solidifies Boston's current momentum as they continue their record-breaking pace against top-tier competition.