Rangers 6 - 3 Red Sox
Final
  for this game

Dempster controls BoSox for first W with Rangers

Aug 8, 2012 - 5:58 AM

Video

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Ryan Dempster pitched into the seventh inning to get his first win in a Rangers uniform, and Ian Kinsler drove in two runs in Texas' 6-3 triumph over the Boston Red Sox.

Traded by the Cubs at the July 31 deadline, Dempster (1-0) took a no-decision in his Texas debut, a 15-9 Rangers win on Thursday versus the Angels. Tuesday's game was much different for the veteran right-hander, who gave up six hits and three unearned runs, coming on a homer by Will Middlebrooks. Dempster struck out six over 6 2/3 innings.

"The tone was set by Dempster. He kept those bats off balance," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He moved the ball around, had a good slider. He was able to spot his fastball down in the zone."

Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus had insurance RBI hits over the final two innings for the AL West leaders, who evened this three-game series.

Jon Lester (5-10) was charged with six hits and four runs over 6 2/3 innings. The lefty fell to 0-5 over his last seven starts. Lester also has double-digit losses in a season for the first time in his major league career. He's 2-8 at Fenway Park this year.

"He was throwing the ball down in the zone," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "He walked a couple of guys tonight, but he threw the ball really well. We can knit-pick it all we want...he pitched pretty good."

Cody Ross doubled twice for the Red Sox, who have lost five of their last seven contests.

Ahead 4-0, Dempster should have escaped a jam in the bottom of the seventh, but a costly error by second baseman Ian Kinsler extended the frame. Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled with one out, and with two down Ryan Kalish sent a grounder to Kinsler, who couldn't handle the ball. Middlebrooks, in a pinch- hit role, then belted a homer barely over the Green Monster.

The ball was touched by a fan reaching closely to the red line at the plateau of the left field wall that delineates an in-play ball. Umpires used video review to confirm the home run.

Facing Mark Melancon, Cruz singled to right to drive in Josh Hamilton in the eighth. Andrus knocked in Craig Gentry with a base hit to right in the ninth off Junichi Tazawa.

Joe Nathan faced the minimum in the bottom of the ninth to notch his 22nd save of the year.

Kinsler and Hamilton singled in runs in the sixth inning, and it became 4-0 in the seventh when David Murphy lifted a sacrifice fly, and Kinsler singled in Geovany Soto.

Game Notes

The Rangers have won six of their last eight games at Fenway Park...Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was ejected in the top of the ninth inning by first base umpire Paul Nauert...The Rangers have guaranteed a win in the season series for a franchise-high fourth consecutive campaign.






Related News