J.D. Drew shut up some nay-sayers with his clutch RBI single in the eighth inning that lead to a 6-5 Boston Red Sox and a series sweep over the Texas Rangers (18-32).
The Sox improved to a Major League best 34-15 in a come from behind victory.
Julian Tavarez, the starter for the Sox did not pick up the win, but pitched five and two-thirds’ innings, on six hits, four earned runs, one walk, and six strikeouts.
Joel Pineiro picked up the win going one and two-thirds’ innings, on zero hits, runs, walks, and three strikeouts.
Boston jumped out to an early lead in the fourth inning on a three run blast by Jason Varitek that scored Drew and Mike Lowell.
Although the lead was short lived.
In the sixth inning Mark Teixeira hit a mammoth of a shot that was recorded as a 453 foot homerun.
The homerun was the fourth longest homerun at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.
Teixeira’s blast plated Kenny Lofton and Michael Young. Ian Kinsler added an RBI single in the inning making it 4-3 Rangers.
It took the Sox until the top of the eight to regain the lead with a two run eighth.
Drew singled home Kevin Youkilis and was later brought in by a Lowell single.
Drew finished the day with two hits, two runs, and one RBI raising his average to .234.
Dustin Pedroia added some insurance in the top of the ninth with a solo shot off of Eric Gagne pushing the score to 6-4.
Hideki Okajima closed out the ninth but gave up a run on a Teixeira single that scored Victor Diaz.
Okajima wrapped up the ninth by getting Sammy Sosa to fly out to center saving the game to a score of 6-5.
Boston will send Curt Schilling (4-2, 3.94 ERA) to the mound tomorrow against Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee (2-1, 5.93 ERA) at home at 7:05 p.m.
