CHICAGO - The Red Sox hit what manager Bobby Valentine called “rock bottom’’ last Saturday, losing a nine-run lead against the Yankees at Fenway Park and getting booed off the field.

Riddled by injuries, hampered by a leaky bullpen, and guided by a manager who seemed unsure how to act in his testy new environment, the Red Sox were on the brink of chaos, having lost five straight.

A week later, they’re the happiest team in baseball.

“We need to stay on this path,’’ said Jon Lester, who combined with three relievers on a six-hitter as the Red Sox beat the White Sox, 1-0, Saturday night to extend their win streak to six games.

Now 10-10, the Red Sox got seven strong innings from Lester before Franklin Morales, Vicente Padilla, and Alfredo Aceves finished off the White Sox.

It was the fifth save for Aceves, who retired the side in order in the ninth inning after Padilla stranded two runners in the eighth.

It took the Red Sox until May 15 to reach .500 last season. The weather and a break in the schedule helped aid that effort this season.

Last Sunday’s game against the Yankees and CC Sabathia was rained out, allowing the Red Sox to take a breath and embark on a road trip against two teams from the less-stressful AL Central.

The Red Sox took three from the Twins and now stand a victory away from sweeping a four-game series from the White Sox.

“In the beginning of the game the guys have a good feeling,’’ said Valentine. “When you have a good feeling you have a good chance to win.’’

After five days spent piling up runs, the Sox were held to four hits by Jake Peavy. But two of them came in the fourth inning.

Ryan Sweeney broke his bat while blooping a ball over first base. He hustled to second for his major league-leading 10th double as the ball rolled away from a diving Gordon Beckham.