Some Like It VERY Hot - Offense Powers Sox To 6-0 Win Over Texas

Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia were all big parts of another strong offensive onslaught as the Red Sox pounded out 9 hits including 4 home runs in a 6-0 rout of the Texas Rangers. Gonzalez hit 2, bringing his season total to 23; Ortiz and Salty hit one apiece. With the exceptions of Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia, every Red Sox starter had at least one hit as Boston closed out the road trip by taking 3 of 4 against the Texas Rangers.

Red Sox starting pitcher Andrew Miller pitched 6.1 very strong innings in winning his 6th game of the season; he gave up just 3 hits and walked a pair while striking out 6. Three of those strikeouts were by Josh Hamilton, a sign that Miller was particularly effective. Alfredo Aceves and Dan Wheeler closed things out with 2.2 scoreless innings.

NOTES -

Miller's 6.1 innings were a season-high for him, and the longest he's pitched in over two years. And given his performance, hearing Ray Charles' "Hit the Road, Jack" over the PA system took on a completely different meaning.

Boston went 6-2 on the road trip and the win puts the Red Sox 30 games over .500 for the first time this year. After starting the season 0-6 and 2-10 (does anyone really remember April?), they are on a pace to win 99 games.

With 5 home runs in the last 3 games, you probably won't hear anyone on the Whiner Line complaining about Adrian Gonzalez...at least for a couple of days.

Carl Crawford went 10 for 30 on the road trip with 2 HR's and 8 RBI's.

From the "Let's Try This Again" department - Tim Wakefield tries for career win #200 against Oakland tomorrow night at Fenway Park.

In case you somehow haven't heard, the Red Sox and Athletics will play a split doubleheader on Saturday due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene. Saturday's regularly scheduled game time has been moved up to 12 noon and Sunday's game will now be played Saturday at 5 PM. That will give the Red Sox two days off before the Yankees come to Fenway for a 3-game series Tuesday through Thursday next week.