Rangers 6, Red Sox 3
Ryan Dempster bounced back from his rough debut with a solid performance and Ian Kinsler drove in a pair to lead visiting Texas.
Josh Hamilton, Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz each recorded an RBI single and David Murphy pitched in with a sacrifice fly as the Rangers evened the series.
Dempster (1-0), who was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline, was knocked around for eight runs in 4 1/3 innings in his debut last week but looked much more comfortable against Boston, He allowed three unearned runs and six hits while striking out as many.
Jon Lester (5-10) matched Dempster through the first five innings before slipping in the sixth. Murphy led off with a double to right and Kinsler followed a strikeout with a drive high off the wall in left, narrowly missing a home run as he broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single.
Hamilton pushed Kinsler home with a single to right later in the frame and Texas tacked on two more runs in the seventh.
The extra runs proved to be important as the Red Sox struck for three in the bottom of the seventh. Jarrod Saltalamacchia snuck a single through the right side and Ryan Kalish reached on an error by Kinsler with two outs.
Boston manager Bobby Valentine sent Will Middlebrooks up as a pinch hitter and the rookie slugged a first-pitch slider into the first row of seats above the “green monster.” His 14th home run was upheld by video review.
Cruz drove in a run in the eighth and Andrus struck in the ninth before Joe Nathan worked around a leadoff hit for his 22nd save in 23 chances.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Red Sox DH David Ortiz (Achilles) took batting practice before the game and could come off the 15-day DL this weekend. Boston RHP Scott Atchison (elbow) visited Dr. James Andrews and will not need surgery. He is attempting to rehab and return by September. … Lester was charged with four runs in 6 2/3 innings to suffer his fifth loss in as many decisions. The former All-Star has not won since June 27. … Hamilton has hit safely in six straight games. … Rangers RHP Mark Lowe (intercostal muscle) is making a second straight rehab appearance for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and could be activated on Friday. … Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia was ejected in the ninth for arguing a check-swing call.