Game 37: Red Sox at Rangers - Lackey, hot bats can give Sox rubber game victory
Contributing Writer
The Boston Red Sox bats busted out a game after nearly getting no-hit, to the tune of eight runs and 11 hits to set up a rubber game with the Texas Rangers this afternoon. Four Sox hitters had multi-hit games and David Ortiz crushed his seventh homer of the year.
John Lackey, from Abilene, Texas, attempts his fifth win of the season. He's allowed two runs or less in each of his last three starts, is 4-2 overall and sports a 3.72 ERA for the season. He's an even 7-7 with a 6.61 ERA at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Here is the Red Sox lineup for today's game (first pitch - 3:05 pm ET):
1) Pedroia, 2B
2) Victorino, RF
3) Ortiz, DH
4) Napoli, 1B
5) Gomes, LF
6) Bogaerts, SS
7) Pierzynski, C
8) Middlebrooks, 3B
9) Bradley Jr., CF
Lackey, P
On the bump for the Rangers is Robbie Ross Jr., who is 1-3 with a 4.74 ERA. Ross has allowed 16 runs (12 earned) in his last two outings, both losses to Oakland and Colorado. He had allowed two earned runs or less in four of his previous five starts.
Season finale
Today's game is the final in the season series for the Sox and Rangers. Boston leads 3-2 and looks to avoid the split with a win today. The Red Sox are 224-217 all-time against Texas.
Victorino has a day
Entering Saturday, Shane Victorino had three RBI. He doubled that and then some with four runs driven in during a 3-for-4 performance. In 12 games this season, Victorino has a .288 average, five doubles, five runs and seven RBI, but has struck out 13 times.
Napoli struggling
Mike Napoli's batting average has dropped 30 points in the last 10 games from .305 to .275. Napoli has just five hits and five RBI in those 10 games, but has reached via walk 14 times over that span.
Happy Mother's Day
To all the moms out there in Red Sox Nation, we'd like to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!
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