Texas Rangers Roll Over Red Sox
The Texas Rangers got off to a fast start against the Boston Red Sox during yesterday’s game at Fenway Park, scoring six runs in the first.
After building such a commanding lead, the Rangers had control for the entire game and earned a 7-2 victory against a team that had beaten them 11 times in their last 14 meetings.
The victory snapped an embarrassing four-game losing streak and opened the second half as planned.
“It was a good way to start the second half, no doubt about it," third baseman Michael Young said. "The break was well-timed for us. We needed it. We were able to recharge and come back out tonight re-energized."
The Rangers indeed look revived and were excited to take the field. "I could tell coming into the clubhouse today that guys were energized and feeling good," said Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.
The Rangers started the night with four straight hits and had runners in scoring position against a shaky Tim Wakefield, who got the start. It was apparent that Boston’s starter did not have an answer for the Rangers’ hitters and was hurting his team’s chances to even make this one a contest early on.
"It was good to jump on Wakefield and get those runs on the board," said Hamilton.
The Rangers had 12 hits and most of the damage was done by hitters in the middle of the batting rotation. Vladimir Guerrero, Nelson Cruz and Hamilton all had three hits each and Bengie Molina finished off the six-run onslaught in the first with a two-run home run.
After the game, Wakefield spoke with fellow pitcher John Farrell and said: “I’m as dumbfounded as everyone else. I looked at the tape and tried to figure out the mechanics and didn't have it tonight. Bottom line."
Wakefield (3-8) gave up seven runs on eight hits in two-plus innings, his shortest start since September 2008, also against Texas. Seems like this ball club has Wakefield's number.
"The first couple hitters, it looked like the ball was in the zone and had a lot of movement and then, they were obviously looking to swing early and normally for us, [Wakefields] getting first-pitch contact is good," said Red Sox manager,Terry Francona .
"But they strung together a bunch of hits, kind of a rarity when you see him attack the zone like that, but he just gave up so many hits," he latter added.
After jumping out of the gates, the Rangers failed to muster any offence and did not score after the third and were pretty much shut down the rest of the way. But the damage was done and Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter did just enough to steal a victory on the road.
Hunter went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out one.
"I left the team in a bad situation my last outing," Hunter said. "Tonight, we scored some runs early and I had to go out there and just get some outs. It feels good, but there is room for improvement."
Hunter is referring to Boston’s come attempt in the fourth innings which saw Hunter give up a single to Daniel Nava, hit Mike Cameron with a pitch and fall behind 3-0 to Bill Hall. Just as Boston was gaining momentum, Hunter settled down and rallied to get Hall on a fly to deep centre and escaped the innings without any damage.
"Each time they threatened and Tommy got out of it, it was huge. Once you get those guys going, especially in this park, it's hard to stop them,” manager Ron Washington said.
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