Boston Red Sox 19, Texas Rangers 17

by PegNews wire

The Texas Rangers spotted the Red Sox 10 runs in the first --yet still, somehow, lost-- Tuesday night, losing 19-17 in Boston in one of the most exciting games all season. The loss dropped the Rangers to 61-59 on the season.

Thanks to a pair of three-run home runs from David Ortiz, the Rangers were down 10-0 after just one inning, as Rangers starter Scott Feldman could not seem to get any outs against the high-dollar Red Sox lineup. Feldman continued to pitch until the third, when he was yanked after giving up 12 runs, 6 of which were earned.

But the Rangers stormed back against the allegedly-better Boston pitching staff, overcoming 10-0 and 12-2 deficits to actually pull ahead 16-14 in the top of the seventh inning. Unfortunately, Kevin Youkilis launched a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to pull Boston ahead for good. Texas reliever Frank Francisco took the loss.

Not surprisingly, several Rangers had big days offensively. Red-hot outfielder Marlon Byrd continued his tear through the AL East pitching staffs, with an amazing 5-for-6 performance with four runs and three RBI. Byrd has gone 9-for-12 in the past two games, scoring seven times in the process.

Frank Catalanatto went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and three RBI. Ian Kinsler also had a great day, hitting his 16th home run, 40th double and driving in four RBI.

The Rangers massive offensive surge neatly coincided with the return of Milton Bradley to the starting lineup, as both Bradley and Josh Hamilton managed to go 2-for-5 with three runs scored. Rookie phenom Chris Davis also got in on the action, going 2-for-5 with four RBI.

As a team, the Rangers 20 hits, yet strangely only one home run, Kinsler's three-run, two-out shot in the top of the fifth.

Posted by Todd M.