The White Sox’ Jerry Owens can’t break up a double play as Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia watches his throw to get Josh Fields at first yesterday. Boston outscored Chicago, 46-7, in the four-game series.

MCT / E. Jason Wambsgans

CHICAGO — The Red Sox’ four-game sweep of the White Sox wasn’t just laughably one-sided — it was downright historic.

In recording wins with scores of 11-3, 10-1, 14-2, and 11-1, they outscored the White Sox 46-7. That marked the first time they had scored double-figures in runs in four consecutive games since June 2-5, 1950, when they did so against Cleveland and the White Sox.

Moreover, the Sox became only the fourth team since 1900 to score 10 or more runs in each game of a four-game series.

The St. Louis Browns did in 1920 and again in 1922 and the Colorado Rockies did it in 1996.

The last time the Sox scored 46 runs in the span of four games was 2005 when they scored that many in a stretch that had them beating Minnesota once and Texas three times.

The last time the Sox scored 46 runs in a four-game series was in 1946, when they amassed that total in a four-game set with St. Louis from June 23-26.

Tavarez comes through

Twice in the last week, the Red Sox have turned to Julian Tavarez in a pinch. Both times, he came through.

On Aug. 19 against the Angels, the Sox needed a spot starter to get their rotation set for the Yankees series and to provide additional rest for their rotation. Tavarez went six innings and gave up two runs on two hits, though the Sox lost, 3-1.

Yesterday, Tavarez again sparkled, temporarily taking Jon Lester’s spot in the rotation and giving the Sox another strong outing — six innings pitched, one run allowed on two hits.

“Today was his best start of the year — hands down,” said catcher Jason Varitek of Tavarez. “He located well and pitched to both sides of the plate. It was (much) needed.”

Tavarez hasn’t been a rotation regular since mid-July, but has the rare ability to deliver quality starts when called upon.

“That doesn’t happen very often,” manager Terry Francona said. “We’re obviously very proud of him. And he should be proud of himself.”

“I don’t take much to get ready (to start),” said Tavarez, 7-9. “I just go out there and try to throw strikes and don’t think about too much.”

Manny’s day off

Manny Ramirez was out of the lineup yesterday, marking the second game he’s sat out in the last five. He was also out of the lineup Wednesday, the final game of the series in Tampa Bay.

Francona said Ramirez’s back has been an issue of late, and the prospect of having two days off in succession — today is an off-day — proved additional incentive.

Ozzie’s words of wisdom

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, quotable as ever: “We caught them playing good and they caught us playing bad. … Boston is the team to beat this year in the American League. This weekend they really outplayed us. They swept us this time, (but) I swept them in the big one (the 2005 ALDS) — that’s when it counts.”

Armed for New York

The pitching matchups for this week’s series in New York: Daisuke Matsuzaka (13-10, 3.76) vs. Andy Pettitte, (11-7, 3.69) tomorrow; Josh Beckett (16-5, 3.21) vs. Roger Clemens (5-5, 4.34), on Wednesday; and Curt Schilling (8-5, 4.11) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (14-6, 4.10), on Thursday

Around the bases

The Sox are 29-12, for a winning percentage of .707 in day games this season. By contrast, the club was just 25-21 last year. … Mike Lowell has 92 RBI from the third base position — and one as a pinch-hitter. Those 92 RBI are the most from a third baseman since Butch Hobson also had 92 in 1979. … The four-game sweep here was the Red Sox’ first since Aug. 5-8, 1968 at the old Comiskey Park. The White Sox have only been swept in a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The last one came in 1999 at the hands of Seattle. … The Sox are a season-high 29 games over .500. … Doug Mirabelli, sidelined since Aug. 17 with a pulled calf muscle, is expected to rejoin the Sox in New York.

smcadam@projo.com