Miller Lite - Texas Trounces Red Sox 10-0

The headline and score tell you almost everything you need to know about the opening game of this weekend series against the Texas Rangers. Red Sox starting pitcher Andrew Miller walked the first two batters he faced and it all went down hill from there. He lasted just an inning and a third and gave up 6 runs before manager Terry Francona decided he'd seen enough and mercifully pulled Miller out before the 700th consecutive sell-out crowd could get too nauseous.

Michael Bowden and Matt Albers were equally frustrating in relief. In fact, the one bright spot for the Red Sox was 4 shutout innings by Tim Wakefield who gave up 3 hits but didn't walk a batter while striking out 3.

The Red Sox managed just 2 hits - singles by Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Gonzalez.

NOTES -

If you are one of those who is worried about the length of Red Sox games, you'll be thrilled to note that this one was played in a crisp 2:48.

Kevin Youkilis was back in the lineup at 3rd base batting cleanup; Carl Crawford was a late pre-game scratch due to illness.

Boston is now 3-5 against Texas this season. They're also 3-4 on the current homestand and 6-8 in their last 14 games at Fenway Park.

If you have tickets for Saturday's game, note that the start time has been moved to 4:10 PM.