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Papi, Napoli power Sox past Rangers

BOSTON -- The Red Sox had some life back in the bats in Tuesday night's opener of a six-game homestand, as David Ortiz and Mike Napoli both belted home runs to pace a 13-hit attack in an 4-3 victory over the Rangers. The hit total was the highest by Boson in May, and matched a season best, last accomplished on April 28.

Hanley Ramirez paced the offense with three hits, including a pair of doubles. Mookie Betts, Ortiz, Napoli and Dustin Pedroia had two each.

"Just getting in the grind of the season," said Pedroia. "We're going to hit patches where we don't score and things like that. We have to find a way to limit it when we're not feeling good, or try to find a way to score in other ways. We did some good things tonight, so hopefully we can build on it."

"The two long balls were the ones that really got us tonight," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

Wade Miley turned in a strong pitching performance to go along with it, holding the Rangers to seven hits and two runs over seven innings. The lefty walked one and struck out seven.

The Rangers didn't score until the sixth, when they got an RBI single from Thomas Field and an RBI triple by Robinson Chirinos. Texas righty starter Yovani Gallardo gave up 10 hits and four runs over five innings.

Video: TEX@BOS: Napoli smacks a solo shot to extend the lead

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Napoli goes deep: Considering the extent of Napoli's slump the first few weeks of the season, it was an encouraging development for the Red Sox when the slugger muscled a solo shot over the Green Monster in the fourth. It was just the fourth homer of the season for Napoli. Ortiz's homer -- a missile to right-center -- was his second in the past three games.

"I've been through these [slumps] before," said Napoli. "I know I can be one at-bat away from feeling good, so I've been grinding. It's frustrating, because I feel so good, I feel well-rested, I'm healthy. The thing's that the most frustrating part is when I go home and wonder what's going on. I feel great. Been working hard to get back." More >

Video: TEX@BOS: Chirinos triples in Field to cut the lead

Chirinos gets first career triple: Chirinos, batting with Kyle Blanks at second in a 4-1 game during the sixth, hit a high, slicing fly ball down the right-field line. Daniel Nava got there, but he couldn't make the catch. The ball bounded away far enough to allow Chirinos to make it to third.

Video: TEX@BOS: Miley fans seven, holds Rangers to two runs

Miley mows 'em down: Miley has gotten on a nice roll, going six innings or more in his last four starts. Tuesday marked his second seven-inning performance of the season.The lefty threw 106 pitches, 68 of which were strikes. Boston's rotation has also gotten into a nice groove after a slow start to the season. More >

Video: TEX@BOS: Miley gets Andrus to fly out to right field

Top of the order struggles: Shin-Soo Choo and Elvis Andrus batted 1-2 at the top of the Rangers order on Tuesday. They also led off 1-2 in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings. They were a combined 0-for-8 in those at-bats.

Video: TEX@BOS: Sandoval exits game after being hit by pitch

PANDA TAKES ONE OFF KNEE
Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval was plunked on the left knee by a pitch from Rangers lefty Sam Freeman in the bottom of the seventh inning and had to leave the game. The Red Sox didn't find any structural damage in tests that were taken during the game. Sandoval will be back in the lineup as soon as he can tolerate the pain. More >

Video: TEX@BOS: Hanley shaken up, call stands in 5th

UNDER REVIEW
When Ramirez legged out a double in the fifth, Banister challenged that shortstop Elvis Andrus got the tag down in time. After a review of two minutes and 59 seconds, no definitive determination could be made and the call stood. Ramirez wound up scoring on an infield hit by Napoli. More >

QUOTABLE
"I felt good. I have been feeling pretty good, but my command was a little off. I wasn't able to command my sinker and I hung some pitches up in the zone." -- Gallardo

"I love this game. Trying to help my teammates out any way I can, to be able to produce and be part of this team. I'm trying to do my part. I'll never quit. That will never happen. It's been a grind, and I'll keep on grinding through it." -- Napoli

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Rangers were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. They are 9-21 this season when they have two or fewer hits with runners in scoring position. They are 7-2 when they get two hits or more in those situations.

The Red Sox have made it a habit of coming out strong in series this year, winning the opener 10 out of 13 times.

WHAT'S NEXT
Rangers: Right-hander Phil Klein makes his first Major League start against the Red Sox at 6:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Fenway Park. The Rangers will have to make a roster move before the game to make room for Klein.

Red Sox: Right-hander Joe Kelly (1-2, 5.58 ERA), in facing the Rangers on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET, will try to build off a strong outing in his last start, when he earned a no decision in a win at Seattle. In that one, Kelly allowed five hits and a run over 6 1/3 innings.

Watch every out-of-market regular season game live on MLB.TV.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne.T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.
Read More: Wade Miley, Mike Napoli, Yovani Gallardo, David Ortiz