Rangers at Red Sox
The Texas Rangers have had little trouble at Fenway Park in recent seasons, but the Boston Red Sox stated emphatically on Tuesday that 2012 will be different. The Red Sox will be looking to build on their 17-5 drubbing by clinching the three-game series when they host the Rangers again on Wednesday. Boston pounded out 19 hits - 13 for extra bases - to take over the American League lead in wins.
The Red Sox managed a total of four runs while being swept in a three-game series at Texas a month ago but scored that many in two different innings on Tuesday. Even without Jacoby Ellsbury (groin) at the top of the lineup, Boston has been able to get strong production from Daniel Nava and Mike Carp to keep the offense moving to the middle of the order. The Rangers entered the series with the best pitching staff in the AL in terms of ERA but will need a big effort from Alexi Ogando on Wednesday to take the pressure off a suddenly taxed bullpen.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), NESN (Boston), ESPN2
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (4-2, 3.08 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH John Lackey (3-5, 2.96)
Ogando, who will be activated from the disabled list for the start, has been out since May 16 due to inflammation in his right biceps. The 29-year-old has allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his nine turns but has completed seven innings only once this season. Ogando was sharp against Boston on May 4, allowing one run and six hits in six innings to earn the win.
Lackey hurt himself by allowing three solo home runs in six innings of a loss at Philadelphia last week but had surrendered a total of three hits in 13 innings over his previous two starts. The veteran right-hander never has had much success against Texas, going 12-15 with a 6.14 ERA in 37 career outings. That includes a five-inning stint on May 4 in which he was reached for three runs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston set its season high for hits on Tuesday, just days after setting the previous mark with 18 in a win over the New York Yankees on Saturday.
2. Texas RF Nelson Cruz reportedly is one of 20 players Major League Baseball will seek to suspend due to links to suspected PED distributor Biogenesis of America.
3. Ellsbury and Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) could return to their respective lineups on Wednesday.