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BoSox try to reach plus territory in finale with Rangers

Jul 25, 2012 - 3:04 PM (Sports Network) - Boston will turn to veteran Josh Beckett as it tries to climb over the .500 mark on the season in Wednesday's rubber match of a three- game series with the American League West-leading Texas Rangers.

Mike Aviles' go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Red Sox to a 2-1 win on Tuesday in the middle installment of the set.

Daniel Nava and Jarrod Saltalamacchia worked a pair of two-out pinch-hit walks against Joe Nathan (1-3) before Aviles slapped a looping base hit just over the outstretched glove of a leaping Elvis Andrus at shortstop, which plated Nava to make it 2-1.

"A couple of walks and a bloop, and we win," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said.

Alfredo Aceves worked around a two-out walk in the home half of the ninth to nail down his 21st save of the season.

"I hope every win gets us rolling," Aviles told Boston's website. "That's the name of the game - win ballgames. Unfortunately, we hadn't won in a couple days, so any time you can get a win against a team like this, it's always good."

Boston had lost each of its first three meetings against Texas this year while being outscored by a 33-7 margin.

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz surrendered a run on four hits and three walks in seven innings, while the Rangers' Martin Perez lasted six innings, allowing a run on five hits and two walks.

Andrus had two hits, extending his hitting streak to 11 games, and a run scored for Texas, which has dropped four of its last six.

"We had some chances, we just didn't get the hit," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "They (Boston) ended up delivering."

Both teams were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position before Aviles' single in the ninth.

The loss took a back seat for the Rangers, however, after Adrian Beltre left the contest in the eighth inning after being struck in the batting helmet with a fastball by Vicente Padilla (4-0), who picked up the win with a scoreless frame.

After the game, Texas breathed a sigh of relief in announcing that Beltre suffered a contusion on the side of his head and no concussion.

"Everything is testing normal for him, but will continue to monitor him," the Rangers said via their Twitter account. "Thanks for all the well wishes & kind words."

"I got hit pretty good," Beltre added when talking to the Rangers' website. "It's a bruise but not as bad as it looked."

Beckett, a former All-Star who is 3-3 with a 4.88 ERA in nine career starts against the Rangers, will be trying to halt his recent struggles. Boston has lost six of the last seven games he has started.

Derek Holland, who has been extremely effective against the Red Sox in his career, will duel with Beckett tonight. The young lefty is 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA in four career starts versus the BoSox.