Red Sox reactions: Walker Buehler (7 innings) delivers Marathon Monday win (2025)

BOSTON — Instant reactions as the Red Sox (13-11) win on Patriots Day, beating the White Sox, 4-2, to close out a four-game series:

1) Walker Buehler pitched poorly on one landmark April Fenway Day (the home opener) but made sure a chance to start on Patriots Day wouldn’t go to waste. The White Sox started the morning off with two singles and a quick run but Buehler shut things down after that, working around traffic a couple times to post his best outing in a Red Sox uniform.

Buehler lasted seven innings, limiting Chicago to one run on four hits. He struck out nine and lowered his ERA to 4.23. It was his longest start since May 8, 2022.

2) For the Red Sox, the at-bat of the day came from Kristian Campbell in the third. With one out and the bases loaded in a one-run game, Campbell got down 0-2 against starter Jonathan Cannon before working the count to 3-2, then punching a single through the right side to plate two runs. The eight-pitch battle was another example of the advanced approach Campbell has shown in his first month as a big leaguer. The swing as a big one for the Red Sox.

3) Alex Cora joked before the game that Rob Refsnyder was a morning person because he has young kids and always has to get up early. That proved true in the second, when Refsnyder got a Cannon fastball well above home plate and tied the game with a 103.4 mph, 397-ft. Green Monster blast. It was just Refsnyder’s 10th career home run off a righty.

4) Infield defense only really gets noticed when there are errors on the board. But the Red Sox had a great day on the dirt Monday. Standout plays included a nifty 1-4, inning ending double play by Triston Casas to close out the fifth and Alex Bregman’s on-the-run throw to nab Michael A. Taylor on a bunt attempt in the sixth. The defense ceiling is high for the Sox’ infield. Now, it’s about executing.

5) Alex Cora remains unafraid of shaking up the back end of his bullpen based on matchups. With lefties Nick Maton and Andrew Benintendi due up at the top of Chicago’s lineup in the eighth, the Red Sox went to closer Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman allowed his first homer of 2025 — Andrew Benintendi took him deep in a left-on-left matchup — but kept the lead for a hold. Then, Justin Slaten came in against the bottom of the lineup and recorded his third save (he’s one behind Chapman) with a 1-2-3 ninth.

6) Bobby Dalbec’s triumphant Fenway return came against Chapman, who — believe it or not — struck him out on three pitches as he pinch-hit to lead off the eighth.

7) It really hasn’t mattered much, but kind of strange Jarren Duran has dropped three easy fly balls at Fenway in just 11 games.

8) Good things are going to happen when Alex Bregman (1-for-2, 2 BB) and Trevor Story (3-for-4) reach base a combined six times in a game.

9) Fans should really make a point of getting to a Marathon Monday game at some point. It’s a uniquely cool day in the city and, chances are, you’re going to see a Red Sox win. Boston is now 72-56. Monday marked their first win since 2021, when they beat up on Lucas Giolito and blew out the ChiSox.

10) It could have been better, quite obviously, but winning the season series against a bad White Sox team is better than losing it. The Red Sox ended up taking four of seven. Any time you can take three of four in a long series is something.

11) The schedule is about to get tougher, though, with three-straight teams with winning records up next: Seattle, Cleveland and Toronto.

12) The Mariners (12-10) come to town for a three-game series that starts Tuesday. Here’s the schedule (as well as pitching probables):

Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. ET — RHP Bryce Miller (1-2, 3.43 ERA) vs. RHP Brayan Bello (2025 debut)

Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. ET — RHP Emerson Hancock (0-1, 12.71 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (0-3, 3.63 ERA)

Thursday, 1:35 p.m. ET — RHP Bryan Woo (2-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. LHP Garrett Crochet (2-1, 1.13 ERA)

• BETTING: Red Sox moneyline is -126 on FanDuel for Tuesday’s game against the Mariners. Our complete list of Massachusetts sportsbook promos will help you find a sportsbook to use.