The Boston Red Sox had a chance to jump back into second in the American League wild card race on Saturday night, but the cellar dwellers from the A.L. West the Texas Rangers spoiled that chance. Texas pounded out 17 hits including seven doubles to take a 10-1 win at Fenway Park.
RBI singles by Nick Solak and old friend Brock Holt in the second inning made it 2-0 Texas, and gave starting pitcher Jordan Lyles a little run support. Lyles, who entered with a 5-10 record, a 5.55 ERA, and had allowed 31 homeruns this season, shut down Boston only allowing a third inning run scoring single by Kike Hernandez to earn the win. The Rangers (43-80) added three more in the fifth, one in the sixth, and a big four spot in the eighth to blow it open. The Sox also committed a season high five errors in the loss.
Eduardo Rodriguez (9-7) took the pitching loss allowing five runs on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. No Sox batters had more than one hit, as they were held to five on the night. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Adolis Garcia, and Andy Ibanez had three hits each for Texas. Solak and Holt had two each. Lyles (6-10) with easily his best start of the season allowed just the one run on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 7.0 innings. Boston (70-55), now 1/2 game behind Oakland for that second wild card, goes for a series win weather permitting in the rubber game on Sunday afternoon. The Red Sox will send Nathan Eovaldi (10-8, 3.91 ERA) to the hill, while the Rangers go with Kolby Allard (3-10, 4.88 ERA).
