Pelfrey sharp, but Red Sox get to Swarzak in 4-1 win over White Sox

Mike Pelfrey delivers against the Red Sox during the first inning Wednesday. Pelfrey gave up two hits and two walks and struck out five over five scoreless innings. (AP Photo/Matt Marton) ORG XMIT: CXS101

Mike Pelfrey more than held up his end of manager Rick Renteria’s five-inning plan for him, giving up no runs and two hits Wednesday against the Red Sox in his third consecutive start allowing one run or fewer.

But all Pelfrey got for his work was an apology from Anthony Swarzak, who allowed four runs in the sixth in a 4-1 loss to the Red Sox. It was hard to fault the ultra-reliable right-handed reliever, however, for giving up three soft singles and a double to Christian Vazquez on a pitch a few inches off the ground — not to mention less-than-stellar defense behind him.

Shortstop Tim Anderson’s hesitation getting the ball from his glove to second baseman Yolmer Sanchez cost Swarzak an inning-ending double play. And center fielder Leury Garcia’s ill-advised throw to third allowed Mitch Moreland to advance a base.

Pelfrey, who lowered his ERA to 3.86, has completed six innings once in eight starts and has had trouble the third time through lineups, which played into Renteria’s plan.

“Obviously, he’s the boss, and he felt good about it,’’ Pelfrey said. “We’re on the same team. . . . I didn’t try to talk him out of it. I felt fine. But I guess he thought that was enough, and that was enough.’’

Feeling a draft

The Sox liked their 2016 draft, and after the offseason trades helped bolster their farm system to a No. 3 ranking by MLB.com and No. 5 by Baseball America, they followed up with the signing of Cuban outfielder Luis Robert. Now comes the June 12 draft, and scouting director Nick Hostetler wants to keep the momentum going.

“No question, this is important for us,’’ Hostetler said.

Every draft is crucial, but “it truly is this year because you have to continue to build,’’ Hostetler said. “Once you get that momentum going, you’re able to stock your system with players, you’re able to get guys in it and get guys not only up to the big leagues, but start winning here. We want to keep that going. That was the problem before. We just didn’t have enough assets in our system for that to hold true throughout.’’

The Sox have the 11th pick, and while they look deeper in pitching than position players, Hostetler said they’ll take the best player available regardless of position.

Recent mock drafts by Baseball America and ESPN’s Keith Law have the Sox taking Vanderbilt outfielder Jeren Kendall.

“This is an interesting draft,’’ Hostetler said. “In the past, there has been a decent gap between the first 10 or 15 to the next group. This year, the difference isn’t that much. From 11 to 49, there’s a bunch of players who will be very similar.’’

Shields, Petricka to Charlotte

Right-handers James Shields (Saturday) and Jake Petricka (Friday) will begin rehab assignments this weekend with Class AAA Charlotte. Both have been on the disabled list since April with strained right lats.

Shields, scheduled to make a start, was 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA in three starts when he went on the DL. Petricka appeared in one game.

This and that

Avisail Garcia, who went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .332, is sixth in All-Star Game voting among American League outfielders.

† The Sox are off Thursday before going to Detroit on Friday to begin a nine-game trip against the Tigers, Rays and Indians. The Sox have played 29 of their 52 games on the road and play 15 of their first 19 games of June on the road.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com