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The White Sox never let up on offense, defense or the mound, where Contreras kept his composure after two singles, a Crede error, a wild pitch and Kevin Millar's double in the fourth cut the Sox's lead to 6-2.
Manager Ozzie Guillen went to the mound to keep Contreras focused, and he retired 14 of the next 15 batters before leaving to an ovation.
"We saw a much more mature pitcher," Boston manager Terry Francona said.
The Sox's defense didn't let up. Right fielder Jermaine Dye made a diving catch to rob Edgar Renteria of a hit to start the eighth. Center fielder Aaron Rowand crashed into the fence in a failed attempt to catch John Olerud's double, and Podsednik leaped to the top of the left-field fence to catch Tony Graffanino's drive to end the game.
After Podsednik's homer in the sixth, his teammates playfully gave him the silent treatment.
They also were amused when Pierzynski failed on a bunt attempt before cranking a Clement pitch over the fence in left-center.
But the White Sox didn't declare themselves a power team after their five-homer performance ended a streak of 25 innings without a Sox home run.
"It doesn't mean anything for [Wednesday night]," Pierzynski said. "[The Red Sox] aren't going to quit or go away. They've done things that are very special."
Said Cooper: "Let's face it, these guys hold the [championship] belt. We've got to come out with the same energy."
The large lead allowed Guillen to pull some of his starting players, but the reserves maintained the intensity and production.
Willie Harris had a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth to end the scoring, and Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts pitched 11/3 scoreless innings to culminate one of the most festive victories in Sox history.
While neutralizing Ortiz, the Sox also ended Ramirez's 18-game postseason hitting streak.
"Getting those two guys out, it sent a message," Pierzynski said.
mgonzales@tribune.com
Manager Ozzie Guillen went to the mound to keep Contreras focused, and he retired 14 of the next 15 batters before leaving to an ovation.
"We saw a much more mature pitcher," Boston manager Terry Francona said.
The Sox's defense didn't let up. Right fielder Jermaine Dye made a diving catch to rob Edgar Renteria of a hit to start the eighth. Center fielder Aaron Rowand crashed into the fence in a failed attempt to catch John Olerud's double, and Podsednik leaped to the top of the left-field fence to catch Tony Graffanino's drive to end the game.
After Podsednik's homer in the sixth, his teammates playfully gave him the silent treatment.
They also were amused when Pierzynski failed on a bunt attempt before cranking a Clement pitch over the fence in left-center.
But the White Sox didn't declare themselves a power team after their five-homer performance ended a streak of 25 innings without a Sox home run.
"It doesn't mean anything for [Wednesday night]," Pierzynski said. "[The Red Sox] aren't going to quit or go away. They've done things that are very special."
Said Cooper: "Let's face it, these guys hold the [championship] belt. We've got to come out with the same energy."
The large lead allowed Guillen to pull some of his starting players, but the reserves maintained the intensity and production.
Willie Harris had a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth to end the scoring, and Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts pitched 11/3 scoreless innings to culminate one of the most festive victories in Sox history.
While neutralizing Ortiz, the Sox also ended Ramirez's 18-game postseason hitting streak.
"Getting those two guys out, it sent a message," Pierzynski said.
mgonzales@tribune.com
