There’s just something about rookie pitchers and the Boston Red Sox that has everyone baffled including the Red Sox.
Texas Rangers rookie Tommy Hunter allowed 4 hits and a run over six innings as they went on to a 4-2 win over the Red Sox in front of 28,555 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
With their fourth straight loss, the Red Sox (55-38) fall out of first place since June 8th as the Yankees beat the Orioles. The Rangers improve to 10 games over .500 at 51-41.
Josh Beckett started this one for Terry Francona and had an uncharacteristic first inning where he allowed 2 runs. He settled down after that though but allowed two late insurance runs. He did throw his second complete game in a row in taking just his 4th loss of the season. He allowed the four runs on 7 hits and a walk while striking out 7.
Hunter threw just 85 pitches in 6 innings while striking out 2 and walking one.
Jason Jennings walked two and struck out 1 in his inning out of the bullpen for the Rangers. Darren O’Day was perfect in his inning and the Red Sox struck for a run off of Rangers closer C.J. Wilson but he still got his 9th save of the season.
The struggling Red Sox offense had just 5 hits on the night and now are batting .194 since the All-Star break.
Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and Jed Lowrie had the only hits on the night with Lowell knocking in the only run.
It’s now up to Clay Buchholz to salvage the series from the Rangers before the Red Sox head back to Boston for an offday on Thursday. Vincente Padilla will try to prevent that from happening as he starts for Ron Washington on Wednesday night.
