GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TEXAS (33-47) at BOSTON (49-30)

AL: TEXAS at BOSTON

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TEXAS (2) AT BOSTON (1) - HOW THEY SCORED
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TEXAS 4TH: S Sosa singled to right. F Catalanotto safe at first on error
by shortstop A Cora, S Sosa to second. M Byrd safe at first on error by right
fielder J Drew, S Sosa scored, F Catalanotto to second. B Wilkerson struck out
swinging. A Melhuse grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
M Byrd out at second.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 5TH: A Cora singled to left. J Ellsbury lined out to right.
D Pedroia singled to left, A Cora to third. K Youkilis singled to left, A Cora
scored, D Pedroia to second. D Ortiz flied out to left. M Ramirez grounded
out to shortstop. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 6TH: F Catalanotto walked. M Byrd lined out to shortstop.
B Wilkerson doubled to left center, F Catalanotto scored, B Wilkerson to third
advancing on throw. A Melhuse walked. T Metcalf lined out to shortstop.
J Lopez relieved J Tavarez. K Lofton flied out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at BOSTON

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TEXAS (2) AT BOSTON (1) - EVENT LOG
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Texas Starting Lineups -- K Lofton CF, R Vazquez 2B, M Young SS, S Sosa DH,
F Catalanotto LF, M Byrd RF, B Wilkerson 1B, A Melhuse C, T Metcalf 3B,
K Loe RHP.

Boston Starting Lineups -- D Pedroia 2B, K Youkilis 3B, D Ortiz DH, M Ramirez
LF, J Drew RF, E Hinske 1B, J Varitek C, A Cora SS, J Ellsbury CF, J Tavarez RHP.

Umpires -- Jeff Kellogg (HP), Scott Barry (1B), Andy Fletcher (2B), Mike Reilly (3B).

Gametime Weather: 69 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from center at 8 mph.


TEXAS 1ST: K Lofton singled to center. R Vazquez singled to left, K Lofton
to second. M Young grounded into double play, shortstop to first, R Vazquez
out at second, K Lofton to third. S Sosa grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 1ST: D Pedroia grounded out to pitcher. K Youkilis hit a ground
rule double to deep right. D Ortiz walked. M Ramirez flied out to left.
J Drew grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 2ND: F Catalanotto flied out to center. M Byrd lined out to
shortstop. B Wilkerson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 2ND: E Hinske flied out to center. J Varitek singled to center.
A Cora flied out to center. J Ellsbury grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 3RD: A Melhuse grounded out to second. T Metcalf grounded out to
shortstop. K Lofton singled to right. R Vazquez singled to right, K Lofton to
third. M Young grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0,
BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia flied out to right. K Youkilis lined out to
shortstop. D Ortiz grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0,
BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 4TH: S Sosa singled to right. F Catalanotto safe at first on error
by shortstop A Cora, S Sosa to second. M Byrd safe at first on error by right
fielder J Drew, S Sosa scored, F Catalanotto to second. B Wilkerson struck out
swinging. A Melhuse grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
M Byrd out at second.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 4TH: M Ramirez hit a ground rule double to deep right. J Drew
walked. E Hinske grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
J Drew out at second, M Ramirez to third. J Varitek grounded out to pitcher.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 5TH: T Metcalf lined out to right. K Lofton flied out to center.
R Vazquez walked. M Young singled to center, R Vazquez to second. S Sosa flied
out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 5TH: A Cora singled to left. J Ellsbury lined out to right.
D Pedroia singled to left, A Cora to third. K Youkilis singled to left, A Cora
scored, D Pedroia to second. D Ortiz flied out to left. M Ramirez grounded
out to shortstop. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 6TH: F Catalanotto walked. M Byrd lined out to shortstop.
B Wilkerson doubled to left center, F Catalanotto scored, B Wilkerson to third
advancing on throw. A Melhuse walked. T Metcalf lined out to shortstop.
J Lopez relieved J Tavarez. K Lofton flied out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 6TH: J Drew flied out to right. E Hinske struck out swinging.
J Varitek grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2,
BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 7TH: R Vazquez grounded out to second. M Delcarmen relieved J Lopez.
M Young singled to left. S Sosa fouled out to first. F Catalanotto grounded
out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 7TH: C Wilson relieved K Loe. A Cora grounded out to shortstop.
J Ellsbury grounded out to shortstop. D Pedroia reached on infield single to
third. F Francisco relieved C Wilson. K Youkilis walked, D Pedroia to second.
D Ortiz struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 8TH: M Byrd hit a ground rule double to right. B Wilkerson
sacrificed to pitcher, M Byrd to third. A Melhuse flied out to left.
T Metcalf struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 8TH: A Otsuka relieved F Francisco. M Ramirez lined out to right.
J Drew singled to right. E Hinske fouled out to third. J Varitek reached on
infield single to second, J Drew to second. E Gagne relieved A Otsuka. A Cora
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 9TH: H Okajima relieved M Delcarmen. K Lofton grounded out to
shortstop. R Vazquez struck out swinging. M Young grounded out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 9TH: J Ellsbury grounded out to third. D Pedroia walked. J Lugo
ran for D Pedroia. K Youkilis flied out to right. D Ortiz popped out to first.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at BOSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TEXAS (2) AT BOSTON (1) - EVENT LOG
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Texas Starting Lineups -- K Lofton CF, R Vazquez 2B, M Young SS, S Sosa DH,
F Catalanotto LF, M Byrd RF, B Wilkerson 1B, A Melhuse C, T Metcalf 3B,
K Loe RHP.

Boston Starting Lineups -- D Pedroia 2B, K Youkilis 3B, D Ortiz DH, M Ramirez
LF, J Drew RF, E Hinske 1B, J Varitek C, A Cora SS, J Ellsbury CF, J Tavarez RHP.

Umpires -- Jeff Kellogg (HP), Scott Barry (1B), Andy Fletcher (2B), Mike Reilly (3B).

Gametime Weather: 69 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from center at 8 mph.


TEXAS 1ST: K Lofton singled to center. R Vazquez singled to left, K Lofton
to second. M Young grounded into double play, shortstop to first, R Vazquez
out at second, K Lofton to third. S Sosa grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 1ST: D Pedroia grounded out to pitcher. K Youkilis hit a ground
rule double to deep right. D Ortiz walked. M Ramirez flied out to left.
J Drew grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 2ND: F Catalanotto flied out to center. M Byrd lined out to
shortstop. B Wilkerson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 2ND: E Hinske flied out to center. J Varitek singled to center.
A Cora flied out to center. J Ellsbury grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TEXAS 0, BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 3RD: A Melhuse grounded out to second. T Metcalf grounded out to
shortstop. K Lofton singled to right. R Vazquez singled to right, K Lofton to
third. M Young grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0,
BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia flied out to right. K Youkilis lined out to
shortstop. D Ortiz grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0,
BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 4TH: S Sosa singled to right. F Catalanotto safe at first on error
by shortstop A Cora, S Sosa to second. M Byrd safe at first on error by right
fielder J Drew, S Sosa scored, F Catalanotto to second. B Wilkerson struck out
swinging. A Melhuse grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
M Byrd out at second.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 4TH: M Ramirez hit a ground rule double to deep right. J Drew
walked. E Hinske grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
J Drew out at second, M Ramirez to third. J Varitek grounded out to pitcher.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

TEXAS 5TH: T Metcalf lined out to right. K Lofton flied out to center.
R Vazquez walked. M Young singled to center, R Vazquez to second. S Sosa flied
out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 5TH: A Cora singled to left. J Ellsbury lined out to right.
D Pedroia singled to left, A Cora to third. K Youkilis singled to left, A Cora
scored, D Pedroia to second. D Ortiz flied out to left. M Ramirez grounded
out to shortstop. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 6TH: F Catalanotto walked. M Byrd lined out to shortstop.
B Wilkerson doubled to left center, F Catalanotto scored, B Wilkerson to third
advancing on throw. A Melhuse walked. T Metcalf lined out to shortstop.
J Lopez relieved J Tavarez. K Lofton flied out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 6TH: J Drew flied out to right. E Hinske struck out swinging.
J Varitek grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2,
BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 7TH: R Vazquez grounded out to second. M Delcarmen relieved J Lopez.
M Young singled to left. S Sosa fouled out to first. F Catalanotto grounded
out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 7TH: C Wilson relieved K Loe. A Cora grounded out to shortstop.
J Ellsbury grounded out to shortstop. D Pedroia reached on infield single to
third. F Francisco relieved C Wilson. K Youkilis walked, D Pedroia to second.
D Ortiz struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 8TH: M Byrd hit a ground rule double to right. B Wilkerson
sacrificed to pitcher, M Byrd to third. A Melhuse flied out to left.
T Metcalf struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 8TH: A Otsuka relieved F Francisco. M Ramirez lined out to right.
J Drew singled to right. E Hinske fouled out to third. J Varitek reached on
infield single to second, J Drew to second. E Gagne relieved A Otsuka. A Cora
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

TEXAS 9TH: H Okajima relieved M Delcarmen. K Lofton grounded out to
shortstop. R Vazquez struck out swinging. M Young grounded out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 9TH: J Ellsbury grounded out to third. D Pedroia walked. J Lugo
ran for D Pedroia. K Youkilis flied out to right. D Ortiz popped out to first.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1.</div>

 

Loe, Rangers stifle struggling Red Sox

<h3>TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- A new month did not change much for theBoston Red Sox.

Kameron Loe pitched six solid innings to lift the Texas Rangersto a 2-1 victory over the Red Sox in the rubber game of thethree-game series.

The Red Sox made a pair of errors and left 11 runners on base incontinuing their swoon in June, when they stumbled to a 13-14mark after going 36-16 in the first two months. The Red Soxmanaged just six runs in the series.

Loe (5-6) won his fourth consecutive start since being recalledfrom the minor leagues on June 14. The 25-year-old righthanderallowed one run and six hits in six innings, striking out oneand walking two.

A trio of relievers bridged the gap to closer Eric Gagne, whogot the final four outs for his 10th save of the season andsecond in as many nights.

The Rangers took advantage of shoddy fielding by the Red Sox totake a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning against Julian Tavarez(5-6).

Sammy Sosa led off with a single and moved to second when FrankCatalanotto reached on shortstop Alex Cora's error. Marlon Byrdfollowed by hitting a long fly ball to right-center field.

Right fielder J.D. Drew reached up and had a bead on the ballbut dropped it, allowing Sosa to score from second.

Cora atoned for his miscue by hitting a leadoff single off Loein the fifth, moving to third on a one-out single by rookieDustin Pedroia and scoring on Kevin Youkilis' single to left totie it at 1-1.

Loe averted further damage by retiring David Ortiz on a flyoutto left and Manny Ramirez on a ground ball to shortstop.

Tavarez could not protect the lead as the Rangers forged aheadin the sixth. After Catalanotto drew a lead walk, BradWilkerson lofted a wall-scraping double to left-center. Ramirezbriefly fumbled the carom, allowing Catalonotto to score andWilkerson to reach third on the throw home.

Rebounding from his worst outing of the season, Tavarez wascharged with two runs - one earned - and seven hits in 5 2/3innings. He walked three and struck out two.

The Red Sox threatened in the seventh against Texas' bullpen.Pedroia singled off C.J. Wilson with two outs, bringing on FrankFrancisco, who walked Youkilis to put runners at second andthird.

Francisco got out of it by fanning Ortiz, the fourth time he hasgone down swinging in two games.

Boston again had two on and two out in the eighth inning, butGagne retired Cora on a weak grounder to second base.

 

Loe, Rangers stifle struggling Red Sox

<h3>TEXAS 2, BOSTON 1</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- A new month did not change much for theBoston Red Sox.

Kameron Loe pitched six solid innings to lift the Texas Rangersto a 2-1 victory over the Red Sox on Sunday.

The Red Sox made a pair of errors and left 11 runners on base incontinuing their swoon in June, when they stumbled to a 13-14mark after going 36-16 in the first two months.

The Red Sox, losers of five of six, have managed just seven runsin the series, which concludes Monday night.

"You go through cycles where it seems like scoring runs is verydifficult," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "You go throughthe periods where we are whacking it all over the ballpark. Ihope that cycle starts (Monday)."

Loe (5-6) won his fourth consecutive start since being recalledfrom the minor leagues on June 14. The 25-year-old righthanderallowed one run and six hits in six innings, striking out oneand walking two.

"I used my fastball to both sides of the plate, got strike one,"Loe said. "I believe I got the first hitter out in most of theinnings and getting the first guy out in the inning isdefinitely big. I threw my off-speed (pitch) for strikes andgot a couple of outs on changeups and just went right afterthem."

A trio of relievers bridged the gap to closer Eric Gagne, whogot the final four outs for his 10th save of the season andsecond in as many nights.

Gagne was brought in with two on and two outs in the eighth whenAkinori Otsuka complained of stiffness in his right elbow.

"I had no choice, really," Rangers manager Ron Washington said."We're just trying to save the game right there. We looked atwhat we had and we knew that we were bringing him in in theninth. So, we figured that if we can get him in there to closeout the eighth, it wouldn't bother him."

The Rangers took advantage of shoddy fielding by the Red Sox totake a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning against Julian Tavarez(5-6).

Sammy Sosa led off with a single and moved to second when FrankCatalanotto reached on shortstop Alex Cora's error. Marlon Byrdfollowed by hitting a long fly ball to right-center field.

Right fielder J.D. Drew reached up and had a bead on the ballbut dropped it, allowing Sosa to score from second.

Cora atoned for his miscue by hitting a leadoff single off Loein the fifth, moving to third on a one-out single by rookieDustin Pedroia and scoring on Kevin Youkilis' single to left totie it at 1-1.

Loe averted further damage by retiring David Ortiz on a flyoutto left and Manny Ramirez on a ground ball to shortstop.

"I thought he was excellent," Washington said of his starter. "Ithought he went out there knowing that he had to get groundballs and he did that. He made pitches when he had to and healso fielded his position very well, which was quite importantto do.

"Two balls were hit up the middle. They get two (hits) thereand it could have opened up some innings, so he kept us in theballgame and he did his job."

Tavarez could not protect the lead as the Rangers forged aheadin the sixth. After Catalanotto drew a lead walk, BradWilkerson lofted a wall-scraping double to left-center. Ramirezbriefly fumbled the carom, allowing Catalonotto to score andWilkerson to reach third on the throw home.

Rebounding from his worst outing of the season, Tavarez wascharged with two runs - one earned - and seven hits in 5 2/3innings. He walked three and struck out two.

The Red Sox threatened in the seventh against Texas' bullpen.Pedroia singled off C.J. Wilson with two outs, bringing on FrankFrancisco, who walked Youkilis to put runners at second andthird.

Francisco got out of it by fanning Ortiz, the fourth time he hasgone down swinging in two games.

Ortiz again had a chance to play hero in the ninth with two outsand pinch runner Julio Lugo at first and down just one run. Butthe slugger, who has earned a reputation as one of the premierclutch hitters in the game, popped out to first to end the game.

"I don't think he's real comfortable," Francona said of Ortiz."You don't stay 162 games feeling great about yourself. But asfar as pressing, no. I know he feels a responsibility, but Ialso hope he comes up in that situation every time. That's howwe feel about him. That will straighten itself out."

Boston again had two on and two out in the eighth inning, butGagne retired Cora on a weak grounder to second base.