Texas @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2010 ) Texas 8, Boston 4
The Texas Rangers recently added two pieces to their team in hopes of winning the first playoff series in franchise history.
Acquired from the San Francisco Giants, Bengie Molina belted a grand slam and became the first catcher in major league history to hit for the cycle as Texas drilled the Boston Red Sox, 8-4, on Friday at Fenway Park.
On Saturday, their other prize pickup, Cliff Lee, makes the start as the Rangers will attempt to win three straight over the Red Sox.
Molina had a night to remember on Friday. He opened the game with a single and later doubled off the glove of J.D. Drew in right field.
Following a one-hour rain delay, Felix Doubront (1-2) returned to the mound and nearly got out of Texas' big fifth inning by snaring a line drive. But Doubront, who took the loss, threw the ball into center field in an attempt for a double play.
The Red Sox then replaced him with Fernardo Cabrera, who struggled mightily.
Cabrera, who was designated for assignment after the game, walked two batters and then gave up Molina's grand slam to center field as the Rangers recorded a 7-3 lead.
About the only drama left was whether Molina, one of the slowest runners in the game could get the triple for the cycle.
In his final at-bat, Molina drilled a long shot to center field that glanced off the glove of Eric Patterson and headed into the triangle. Molina chugged into third to become the fifth Ranger to hit for the cycle.
Molina, however, injured his quad rounding the bases and was removed for a pinch runner after the hit. He is questionable for Saturday's game.
Lee (8-4, 2.64 ERA) will be making his second start for the Rangers since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a six-player deal two weeks ago. Lee suffered a 6-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in his first outing with his new team.
The Red Sox, who are just 3-7 in their last 10 games, will counter with John Lackey (9-5, 4.78 ERA). Lackey was roughed up by the Toronto Blue Jays in his last outing.
Boston recalled Manny Delcarmen to take the place of Cabrera. The Red Sox are desperate for healthy bodies and someone to bridge the gap to Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon in the bullpen.
Boston's pen has allowed a major-league high 41 home runs this season. The Red Sox trail the AL East-leading New York Yankees by 6 1/2 games, their biggest deficit in the standings since May 24.
The Red Sox did get good news on Dustin Pedroia, who is sidelined with a broken foot. Tests revealed the injury is healing well and Pedroia should be able to return in about three more weeks.