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Hamilton heats up as Rangers down Red Sox

Aug 9, 2012 - 3:28 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton is beginning to show some signs of life at the plate.

Following a prolonged June and July slump, Hamilton had his second four RBI game in less than a week, tallying three hits, including his 30th homer of the season, while Adrian Beltre hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth as the Texas Rangers outslugged the Boston Red Sox, 10-9, in the finale of a three- game set.

The 31-year-old Hamilton had just one four RBI game in June and July combined, when he hit just .202 (35-for-173). He's batting .289 (11-for-38) thus far in August.

"He's started to swing a little bit better," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said.

Andrus had three hits and scored three times and Geovany Soto clubbed a two- run blast for the Rangers, who have won six of their last eight contests. Mitch Moreland and Nelson Cruz each added a solo homer.

Josh Beckett, who hadn't allowed a homer since May 10 -- 12 starts --, served up three long balls on Wednesday. He surrendered a season-high eight runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings.

Adrian Gonzalez racked up three doubles, three RBI and three runs scored and Will Middlebrooks added a three-run shot for Boston, which went 4-6 on its 10- game homestand.

Soto cracked a two-run homer into the seats in left in the sixth and Cruz added a solo shot in the seventh to make it 9-5, but the Red Sox battled back and knotted the contest at nine following a four-run home half against Roy Oswalt, whose ERA rose to 6.53.

Gonzalez smoked an RBI double down the right-field line and Middlebrooks smacked a three-run shot off the Sports Authority logo in left.

"Great comeback, guys battled all day long," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.

But the Rangers went ahead again in the ninth.

Andrus walked and Hamilton singled against Clayton Mortensen (1-1) to put runners on the corners with none out. With Alfredo Aceves on the mound, Beltre brought Andrus home with a sacrifice fly to center, providing Texas a 10-9 edge. Cruz almost gave the Rangers with some insurance when he launched a towering fly ball down the left-field line, but it landed just foul to keep it a one-run game.

"We prefer to have it a little lower-scoring games. I know a hot topic is always our offense," Rangers designated hitter Michael Young said.

Alexi Ogando (2-0) tossed two scoreless innings in relief to pick up the win, while Joe Nathan worked around a one-out double in the ninth to notch his 23rd save of the year.

Earlier, Hamilton belted a two-run triple into the triangle in right-center and Beltre's sacrifice fly made it 3-0 in favor of Texas in the opening frame, but the Red Sox answered with a pair of runs in the home half when Gonzalez lined an RBI double to right and Cody Ross grounded a run-scoring base hit through the hole on the right side, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Ross' two-out solo shot over Green Monster in left tied the game in the third, but the Rangers regained the lead following a three-run fifth.

Moreland led off the frame with a blast to center and after Elvis Andrus singled, Hamilton hammered a two-run homer down the right-field line, giving Texas a 6-3 advantage.

Gonzalez banged an RBI double high off the Green Monster in the home half and scored later in the inning with the bases loaded on a passed ball, pulling Boston within 6-5.

Game Notes

Texas starter Matt Harrison lasted just 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits and three walks...Hamilton is hitting .341 with three homers and 14 RBI in his last 10 games at Fenway Park...Texas was 2- for-7 with runners in scoring position, while Boston finished 3-for-13.