Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox Match Player Stats On Jul 09, 2018

J.D. Martinez slugged a three-run shot for his major-league-leading 28th home run, Steve Pearce added a two-run blast, and the host Boston Red Sox blanked the Texas Rangers 5-0 to begin a three-game series Monday night.

Martinez also extended his majors lead in RBIs with 77. Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez (11-3) struck out five over 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks to tie Rick Porcello for the staff lead in victories.

It was the seventh straight win for the AL East-leading Red Sox.

Rangers starter Mike Minor (6-5) gave up two runs on six hits and struck out four in a 5 1/3-inning loss.

Texas lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Pearce ripped a full-count pitch from Minor into the Green Monster seats in left field with two outs in the first inning. It was Pearce's fifth homer of the season and his first in eight games with the Red Sox.

Robinson Chirinos tripled off Boston reliever Brandon Workman to lead off the seventh, but pinch hitter Joey Gallo struck out and Delino DeShields and Elvis Andrus rolled back-to-back groundouts to end the rally.

Martinez clubbed his own Monster shot off Texas reliever Jesse Chavez with nobody out in the eighth.

Before the game, the Red Sox announced that catcher Christian Vazquez (right fifth finger fracture) will undergo surgery Tuesday to have a pin inserted and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Texas activated newly acquired right-hander Cory Gearrin before the game and optioned righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx to Triple-A Round Rock. In his Rangers debut, Gearrin had a strikeout in 1 2/3 scoreless frames.

Veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo (3-0, 8.17 ERA) will start Tuesday's game for the Rangers. Right-hander Hector Velazquez (6-0, 2.76) will make a spot start for the Red Sox.

--Field Level Media