Boston starter Bronson Arroyo struggles and Chicago is able to salvage a split of the four-game series.

01:00 AM EDT on Monday, July 25, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

CHICAGO -- Much was made, especially in the Windy City, about this past weekend's series between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox.

The White Sox were seeking to make a statement, at least that's what energetic manager Ozzie Guillen indicated on the eve of the first game. While Chicago boasted the majors' best record, there were skeptics who considered their glittering record more a function of a mediocre American League Central Division than the White Sox' overall excellence.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, were just trying to get on a roll, no big statement necessary.

And when the dust finally settled yesterday, with the sweat pouring off the players, managers, coaches and fans alike in the sweltering 100-degree heat at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox had earned a 6-4 victory and a split of the four-game set.

Boston's Bronson Arroyo gave up five runs over the first three innings, including a two-run double to Paul Konerko and a two-run homer to Tadahito Iguchi. And despite several opportunities to come back, the Red Sox weren't able to get a cluth hit when they needed it, the game ending on a weak roller to second by John Olerud with runners at first and second.

Chicago improved to 64-33, stretching its lead to 11 1/2 games over second-place Minnesota. Boston, still is in first place in the A.L. East despite a 6-9 mark over the last 15 games, left for Tampa with a healthy respect for the White Sox.

"There's a reason they've won 64 games. It has nothing to do with their schedule. They've got a good ballclub," said Trot Nixon, who was upset after being retired on a fly ball to left with two on and one out in the ninth.

"They've got a really good pitching staff," said Johnny Damon, who was held hitless for only the second time in his last 36 games. "Their starters are good, but against their bullpen, we never really had a chance. They shut us down in three of the four games."

Starters Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland are All-Stars, and they pitched well in the first two games of the series, which the teams split. Orlando "El Duque" spun some magic in his start, and though Jose Contreras flamed out in the heat as his pitch count typically rose early on, he was yesterday's winner. Boston didn't get to see nine-game winner Freddy Garcia, another former All-Star.

It was the bullpen of left-handers Neal Cotts and Damaso Marte and right-handers Cliff Politte, Luis Vizcaino and closer Dustin Hermanson (23rd save yesterday) that also caught the Sox' attention.

"They've got a lot of matchups out there. They can match up with a lot of teams," said Nixon.

But of more concern to the Red Sox, of course, is their own play. And that hasn't been all that great.

They have been muddling along lately. And while they have been in first place for 31 of the last 32 days, that's just as much a function of mediocre play by their nearest challenges, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, as it is Boston's play.

The Yankees wound up a long road trip by beating the Angels yesterday, a victory that pulled New York to within 1 1/2 games of Boston, one out in the loss column.

"We just have to keep playing. We'll get hot. We know we can get hot, hot," said Kevin Millar, who pulled a costly baserunning rock in the sixth, trying to stretch a single into a double, one batter before Jason Varitek homered.

"We're doing just enough to stay afloat," said Arroyo, who settled down but still gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings. "Things can click better. We just have to put together a nice run."

Much the same was being said a year ago. The Red Sox were in second place, 8 1/2 games behind the Yankees. But exactly one year ago yesterday, Boston pulled off its stunning, emotional, brawl-filled 11-10 win over New York that many have considered the turning point in the season, leading to the organization's first World Championship in 86 years.

At that point, the team was one week away from the blockbuster trade that shipped out Nomar Garciaparra and brought in Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera, with Dave Roberts joining a few days later.

That's when the 2004 Red Sox took off.

Circumstances are a bit different this season. Boston doesn't have two aces atop its rotation, as it did with Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez last year. But the Yankees aren't nearly as strong either.

There's still time to get the ball rolling, and the non-waiver trading deadline ends Sunday.

The Red Sox, though, say they can't be concerned with the past, be it 2004 or the series with the White Sox that ended yesterday.

"We split," said manager Terry Francona when asked to sum up the series. "We had a chance to win (yesterday) and didn't. So we'll move on and see if we can beat Tampa Bay."