Rangers Rebound Over Red Sox
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BOSTON — The Texas Rangers rebounded from the pummeling they took one night earlier to beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
In a series featuring the teams with the best records in the American League, Boston won the opener 17-5 Tuesday.
Elvis Andrus’ two-run double in the seventh inning Wednesday snapped a 1-1 tie and lifted the Rangers to the win.
“Everyone saw what (the Boston) offense can do after last night,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “To shut that offense down, it certainly was a big lift.”
In the seventh, Boston left-hander Craig Breslow (2-1) gave up a leadoff double to Mitch Moreland, who was replaced by pinch runner Jeff Baker, and a one-out walk to pinch hitter Craig Gentry. That ended Breslow’s outing, with right-hander Koji Uehara replacing him.
Uehara gave up a first-pitch double to Andrus that put the Rangers on top 3-1.
“Fastball is what I was looking for,” Andrus said. “(Uehara’s) always aggressive. That’s what I saw last year from him. He always likes to get on top of every hitter, so I was trying to stay calm and see my pitch and just trying to drive it.”
Uehara said of the situation he entered, “It is difficult, but the manager had confidence in me, so I wanted to try to do my best and get out of that situation.
“I think it was just the location that I missed. I think strategy-wise it was (fine).”
Texas right-hander Alexi Ogando, who was activated from the disabled list before Wednesday night’s game, went 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits. He walked three, struck out six and threw a wild pitch. Ogando was making his first start since May 15 after being sidelined due to with right biceps tendinitis.
The Rangers scored first on Adrian Beltre’s solo home run with two outs in the fourth inning off right-hander John Lackey.
Ogando left after giving up a game-tying solo home run to Dustin Pedroia, his fifth of
the season, with two outs in the sixth. Left-hander Neal Cotts (1-0), who replaced Ogando, earned the win, though he walked three of the four batters he faced.
Lackey went six innings, giving up one run on five hits with five strikeouts, a hit batter and no walks.
“I thought he had excellent stuff,” Boston manager John Farrell said of Lackey. “A lot of power to his fastball, a number of first-pitch strikes, chance to get ahead in the count. … I thought John was strong.”
Boston got a run off right-hander Tanner Scheppers in the eighth. With two outs Mike Napoli walked, scoring on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s double.
Joe Nathan earned his 18th save with a perfect ninth inning.
