Boston Red Sox 8, Texas Rangers 4

Texas drops its second straight in Boston.

The Texas Rangers brilliant pitching staff held the Red Sox to just eight runs Wednesday night, yet the team still lost 8-4 in Boston. The loss was the Rangers' fifth in their last six games, and dropped the Rangers to 61-60 on the season.

Photo not provided by the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers

Rangers pitching continues to elate the average Red Sox fan (pictured)

The day after both teams tied the American League record for runs scored in a nine-inning game, the Rangers were unable to work their hitting magic on the Red Sox pitching staff. Boston ace Jon Lester dominated Texas for seven innings, before running into trouble in the top of the eighth. Up until that point, Lester had not allowed more than one baserunner in any one inning, and it wasn't until Ian Kinsler and Milton Bradley connected in the eighth that Texas got anything going.

The Rangers actually threatened to score in the ninth, but Ian Kinsler grounded out with two men on. Kinsler currently leads the majors in hits and runs, and is top three in the American League in doubles and batting average.

Rangers starter Luis Mendoza had another terrible performance, giving up eight runs and nine hits in just four innings. Mendoza, who is now 3-6 with an 8.13 ERA, walked four and struck out two. Dustin Nippert pitched four scoreless innings of mop-up relief.

All of the Rangers offense came in the top of the eighth, with Kinsler's solo shot and Bradley's three-run home run, his 20th of the season. Only Michael Young had more than one hit for the Rangers, going 3-for-5 with a run scored.

Posted by Todd M.