Andrus, Desmond help lead Rangers to 10-3 win over Red Sox
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - After Elvis Andrus cleared the bases with a triple and scored on a wild pitch, the Texas Rangers held on to their big lead this time against the Boston Red Sox.
Andrus had the bases-loaded triple to the wall in left-center that chased knuckleballer Steven Wright in a five-run fifth, when all the runs were unearned after two errors and a passed ball, and the Rangers went on to win 10-3 late Saturday night.
"It was a collective team effort," Andrus said. "A game like (Friday) happens. Our bullpen has been so terrific, they're human too. ... Our bullpen bounced back, we gave them support, and they did the rest."
The lopsided victory came a night after Texas blew an early 6-0 lead and lost 8-7 when the Red Sox scored four runs with two outs in the ninth inning.
Cesar Ramos (2-3), the third Texas pitcher Saturday night, pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings. The lefty struck out consecutive batters after taking over with runners and second and third, and one out in the sixth.
Ian Desmond hit a tying homer leading off the fourth, his 13th of the season and sixth in June. The Rangers went ahead for good later in the inning on Mitch Moreland's two-run single.
The Rangers, who have the American League's best record at 48-27, haven't lost consecutive games since being swept May 16-18 in three games at Oakland.
"They've proven time and time again how they can continue to show up. They haven't given us any reason to doubt that they are going to continue to show up," said manager Jeff Banister, who was then asked why they respond so well. "They don't like getting beat. It's a great mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy. They love to be at the ballpark. They love the challenge of the next day. They forget about yesterday."
The scheduled 8:20 p.m. CDT first pitch was the latest ever for a Rangers home game. They opted against a day game, and that was the earliest they could play at night after Fox's national exclusive TV window and still broadcast their game regionally. The game ended a few minutes before midnight.
Wright allowed a career-high eight runs, but since five of those were unearned, his AL-best ERA rose only from 2.01 to 2.18. The right-hander struck out four and walked two in 4 2/3 innings.
"I felt like I couldn't throw a good (knuckleball) over the plate, so I had to rely a lot on my fastball," Wright said. "When I do that, it's usually not going to be a good day for me."
Hanley Ramirez homered for the Red Sox, who are 12-16 over the past month.
Mookie Betts had an RBI single in the fifth to pull Boston to 3-2 and the bases were loaded when Dustin Pedroia grounded into an inning-ending double play. Jackie Bradley Jr. had an RBI double in the sixth before Ramos took over.
BACK ON THE BUMP
A.J. Griffin came off the 15-day disabled list (right shoulder stiffness) to make his first start for Texas since May 7. The right-hander struck out the first three batters he faced, and finished with six strikeouts and one walk in 4 1-3 innings. He allowed two runs and four hits.
SHORT HOPS
Wright has allowed only 17 extra-base hits in 15 starts this season. ... Texas is 11-1 in Saturday games, winning nine in a row.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: C Ryan Hanigan (neck strain) is scheduled to catch nine innings in consecutive games Tuesday and Wednesday for Triple-A Pawtucket in his rehab. ... Utility player Brock Holt (33 games missed after a concussion) will get re-evaluated after playing Sunday at Pawtucket.
Rangers: Yu Darvish (right shoulder discomfort) and Keone Kela (right elbow impingement), a pair of right-handers on the disabled list, are both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions Sunday. ... RHP Colby Lewis was put on the 15-day DL to make room for Griffin on the roster. He won't be able to throw for at least four weeks because of a strained lat muscle.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz is 1-5 with a 4.10 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers. The Texas native makes his second consecutive start after his five previous appearances were out of the bullpen.
Rangers: Left-hander Martin Perez, who is 5-0 his last six starts, makes his Texas-high 16th start. He had a career-best six-game winning streak in 2013.