Texas Messes With Lester As Sox Routed 18-3

Jon Lester failed to get out of the 3rd inning, and the Rangers pounded out 21 hits including 6 home runs as the Red Sox fell to the Texas Rangers 18-3 at Fenway Park.

Lester was staked to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning on a leadoff single by Mike Aviles and Dustin Pedroia's 3rd home run of the season. The lead didn't last long as Texas roughed up Lester for 4 runs in the top of the 3rd and 3 more in the 4th. The 8th inning was even worse with the Rangers scoring 8 more runs. The Red Sox used 5 relief pitchers in all.


NOTES - Kevin Youkilis was back in the lineup for the Red Sox. He went 0-4, earning the Golden Sombrero with a quartet of strikeouts.

As bad an outing as Lester had, Mark Melancon's was worse. He faced 6 Rangers in the top of the 8th surrendering 3 home runs without getting an out.

Adrian Gonzalez hit his 2nd home run of the season in the bottom of the 8th.

Ryan Sweeney had a pair of doubles for the Red Sox.

The Orioles claimed catcher Luis Exposito, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Saturday. There's no word yet on pitcher Michael Bowden who was also DFA'd by the Red Sox over the weekend.

Josh Beckett gets the start for the Red Sox Wednesday in the finale of the 2-game series.