HOUSTON -- After allowing four runs in the first three innings, White Sox lefty Chris Sale dominated the Astros the rest of the way, notching seven of his nine strikeouts in the next four innings en route to a 7-6 win Saturday at Minute Maid Park.
White Sox designated hitter Dioner Navarro drove in four runs, including a two-run, two-out single with the bases loaded in the fifth inning off Astros starter Doug Fister to put his team ahead, 5-4. Fister was rocked for five runs, nine hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Houston took a 4-2 lead with some small ball in the bottom of the third, but Sale's performance and a hot day from the White Sox bats were ultimately too much to overcome, as both teams hit the halfway point over .500 (Astros 43-38, White Sox 41-40). The win is Sale's 14th of the season, one away from tying the record for most American League wins before the All-Star break since 1990.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Navarro nails it: In his first start of the season at designated hitter, Navarro drove in four runs. He tripled home two in the second off of Fister, matching his single-season high with two triples, and then with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth, singled home the go-ahead runs as Fister's final hitter faced.
Small-ball scoring: The Astros chipped away at Sale throughout the third inning, thanks in part to a bunt single from Jake Marisnick and a squeeze bunt from Marwin Gonzalez. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa followed Gonzalez's bunt with a pair of RBI singles, and the Astros put themselves in a good position to win with a 4-2 lead after three innings.
Scott Merkin has covered the White Sox for MLB.com since 2003. Read his blog, Merk's Works, follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin, on Facebook and listen to his podcast.
Jordan Ray is a reporter for MLB.com based in Houston.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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