Rangers Shut Out Red Sox

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Adrian Beltre’s four hits were just two fewer than the Boston Red Sox had Friday night.

One of those was a three-run double that capped a five-run fourth inning in the Texas Rangers’ 7-0 win.

“That was a big hit that we needed,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “To us, it felt like it blew the game open.”

Texas (18-11), which had a season-low three hits on Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox, produced a season-high 18 hits against Boston (20-9) in the series opener.

But the Rangers missed some opportunities to blow the game open even more, stranding a season-high 12 runners on base. Still, Texas came through with a season-best six hits with runners in scoring position.

Beltre was the first Rangers player to produce four hits in a game this season. He had three singles to go along with his fourth-inning double and finished with three RBI.

Ian Kinsler and Mitch Moreland each added three hits. Kinsler scored a run and had an RBI, and Moreland scored twice. Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz each finished with two hits.

“If you can keep creating opportunities, eventually something is going to break,” Moreland said. “We kept getting opportunities with guys on base and Beltre came through with that big three-run double, and it was history from there.”

Eight Texas starters had at least one hit and pinch-hitter Leonys Martin also

delivered a hit.

Derek Holland pitched eight innings to pick up his second win of the season. Holland (2-2) gave up two hits through the first five innings, allowing six hits overall with a season-high nine strikeouts and a walk.

“I would say it was one of my best starts for sure,” Holland said. “I did a good job of using the change-up tonight. I kept my defense on their toes. Those guys were making some outstanding plays for me.”

The left-hander did not allow a runner in scoring position for the first five innings. The Red Sox got a runner to second on back-to-back singles in the sixth.

“Derek was at his best,” Washington said. “He had a good fastball, change-up and slider. He moved the ball around the zone and kept them off balance. Sometimes, you can go out there and pitch well and not get the results for it. Tonight was another example of what he is capable of doing and we finally supported him with some runs.”

The win was Holland’s fifth in a row against Boston. He improved to 5-1 overall in six starts against the Red Sox.

Derek Lowe completed the Rangers’ fifth shutout of the season by pitching the ninth.

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