Red Sox 6 - 0 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Red Sox and Rangers finish set in Arlington

Aug 25, 2011 - 3:06 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox try to stay atop the American League East standings this evening when they wrap up a four-game set with the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

With the New York Yankees losing to Oakland, Boston took over sole possession of first place in the division on Wednesday, as Carl Crawford went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and tied a career high with five RBI, helping the Red Sox to a 13-2 victory.

Crawford's last five-RBI effort came on June 2, 2010 at Toronto while he was with Tampa Bay.

Adrian Gonzalez added a two-run blast, Jacoby Ellsbury finished 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBI and scored three times and Dustin Pedroia posted two hits and drove in two runs for the Red Sox, winners in five of their last seven.

"When guys are swinging the bats well, we're going to score runs," Ellsbury said. "We just kept putting pressure on them."

Josh Beckett (11-5) tossed six solid innings, scattering four hits and a run while fanning four.

Mike Napoli recorded two hits, including a solo shot, and knocked in both runs for the Rangers, who have lost five of seven and saw their lead in the American League West dwindled to 2 1/2 games over the red-hot Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Matt Harrison (10-9) was torched in defeat for 11 hits and seven runs over five full frames.

Getting the call for the Red Sox tonight will be lefty Andrew Miller, who is 5-1 with a 4.99 ERA. Miller returned to the rotation in winning fashion on Friday in Kansas City, as he held the Royals to a run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"Whenever I get an opportunity, I'll take it," Miller said. "I'm just here to try to help us win games. It doesn't matter when the opportunity comes."

This will be his first-ever start against the Rangers, who will pin their hopes on the exceptional Alexi Ogando.

"I'm going to take this like every start, but it is important for us to win the series," Ogando said.

Ogando did not get a decision on Saturday in Chicago, despite a solid effort that saw him surrender two runs and six hits in seven innings of his team's 3-2 loss. He is 12-5 on the year with a 3.30 ERA.

Ogando has faced the Red Sox four times out of the bullpen and is 0-1 against them with a 2.08 ERA.

Texas swept a three-game set from the Red Sox to start the season.






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