• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Millwood, Rangers look for second straight win over Red Sox

Apr 7, 2007 - 5:51 PM Boston (2-2) at Texas (1-3) 8:05 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Texas Rangers picked up their first win of the season thanks to some stellar pitching. Kevin Millwood hopes to carry his share of the load.

Millwood takes the mound Saturday when the Rangers host the Boston Red Sox.

Texas annually has featured one of the worst pitching staffs in the American League, and it was more of the same to start the campaign. The Rangers were outscored, 17-7, in three straight losses to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

But on Thursday, Robinson Tejeda allowed just two hits in seven innings as Texas posted a 2-0 victory over the Red Sox in its home opener. Sammy Sosa picked up his first RBI of the season as Tejeda made the minimal run support stand up.

Millwood allowed three runs and five hits in five innings of a 4-1 loss to the Angels in his first start Monday. He was 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts against Boston last season.

Millwood will be opposed by Julian Tavarez, who is beginning the season as a starter for the first time since 2002 with Florida.

Tavarez made 52 appearances in relief for the Red Sox last season before moving into the rotation late in the year, posting a 3-0 record with a 4.01 ERA in six starts.