Hamilton hits 2 HRs as Rangers top Red Sox
ARLINGTON -- Josh Hamilton hit his first two home runs of the season to help lift the Rangers to a 7-4 victory over the Red Sox on Friday night at Globe Life Park. Both of Hamilton's home runs came off of Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright.
It was Hamilton's ninth career multihomer game and his first since July 10, 2013, against the Cubs while with the Angels. Robinson Chirinos delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth after Hanley Ramirez had pulled the Red Sox to within one run with a two-run homer in the top half of the inning.
"I said in my press conference before my first game here I can be the player I once was," Hamilton said. "I really feel that way so it's good to do things in front of the home crowd that I have done before."
Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings to get the victory. Gallardo is now 5-6 with a 3.88 ERA on the season, while Wright, who allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings, is 2-2 with a 3.90 ERA.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Castillo, Red Sox can't capitalize: Boston had runners on the corners and one out in the fourth inning when Rusney Castillo came to the plate. The Red Sox had already scored two runs in the inning -- one on a Xander Bogaerts sacrifice fly and the other via a Blake Swihart RBI single. Castillo grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Castillo also grounded into a double play in the seventh.
Video: BOS@TEX: Gallardo induces double play to escape jam
Rosales has big night: Second baseman Adam Rosales had a terrific night for the Rangers. He doubled and scored a run in the third inning. Defensively, he started two double plays and made a terrific diving stop on a one-hop smash by Bogaerts to end the sixth.
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Video: BOS@TEX: Rosales steals hit with great diving stop
Farrell, Napoli get tossed: Red Sox manager John Farrell and first baseman Mike Napoli were ejected in the eighth inning. With one out and the Red Sox trailing, 5-4, Napoli struck out looking and was later ejected from the dugout. Farrell came out of the dugout in protest -- as he also did when Dustin Pedroia struck out looking in the seventh -- and he also got the boot from home-plate umpire Todd Tichenor. More >
"Despite the fact that their pitcher hits the glove, he was set up on the white chalk line on the left-handed batter's box," Farrell said. "We felt like he was given a number of pitches that were not strikes that were called strikes."
Video: BOS@TEX: Napoli, Farrell get ejected for arguing
Alberto's first hit is huge Rangers shortstop Hanser Alberto made his first Major League start, and his first hit in the seventh inning was huge. Alberto came up with Chirinos on first and two outs against Alexi Ogando, and he blasted a triple to left-center. Chirinos scored to give the Rangers a 4-2 lead, and Alberto came home on a single by Leonys Martin.
Video: BOS@TEX: Alberto laces RBI triple for first ML hit
QUOTABLE
"It was a good win. The guys made some great plays behind me. I felt good and I was able to move my fastball around." -- Gallardo
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Shawn Tolleson pitched the ninth inning and retired the side in order for his sixth straight save. Opposing hitters are 2-for-21 in those six games.
Video: BOS@TEX: Tolleson retires Castillo to earn the save
REPLAY REVIEW
Ogando picked off Mitch Moreland at second base in the seventh inning after the call was overturned following a replay review. Ogando wheeled and threw to second, where Moreland slid into shortstop Bogaerts and couldn't get his hand on the bag before being tagged, although he was originally called safe.
Video: BOS@TEX: Ogando picks off Moreland on overturned call
WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: Wade Miley makes his third career start against the Rangers on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET at Globe Life Park. Miley is 1-1 with a 1.84 ERA in his previous two starts against Texas, and he enters the game with a 4-4 record and a 4.47 ERA.
Rangers: Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez makes his first Major League start when he pitches against the Red Sox at 6:15 p.m. CT on Saturday. Rodriguez was 3-5 with a 4.15 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A Round Rock.
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