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Red Sox return home on a high note

Apr 18, 2008 - 12:40 PM Texas (7-9) at Boston (10-7) 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - After a successful road trip, the Boston Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Friday to open a four-game series with the Texas Rangers.

The Red Sox finished their four-game road trip with a 3-1 record, including a 7-5 victory over the rival New York Yankees on Thursday. Manny Ramirez had three hits, including two home runs, and added three RBI to lead Boston.

Ramirez continues to swing a red-hot bat early in the new campaign, logging three hits in each of his last two games. The 25-year-old leftfielder had two hits in three straight games before being held hitless during Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-0, 2.70 ERA) goes for his fourth consecutive win when he takes the mound for the Red Sox on Friday.

The Japanese righthander allowed four runs, five hits and struck out two in five innings on Sunday en route to an 8-5 victory over the Yankees. Matsuzaka did struggle with his control, however, throwing 117 pitches while walking six batters.

Luis Mendoza (0-1, 1.80), who was traded from the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Bryan Corey during the 2006 season, will counter for the Rangers.

The 24-year-old righthander surrendered four runs - one earned - and eight hits in five innings as Texas suffered a 4-1 setback to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.