David Ortiz Breaks Bat Over His Knee After A Getting A Single [VIDEO]
JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
BOSTON (AP) — It took one pitch from David Price to hand Texas the lead, and 12 pitches from Craig Kimbrel to clinch it for the Rangers.
Shin-Soo Choo homered on Price's first pitch of the game, and Robinson Chirinos hit a three-run shot off Boston's All-Star closer in the ninth to lead the Rangers to a 7-2 victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Texas loaded the bases after Choo's homer and took a 2-0 lead in the first, then made it 3-2 when Elvis Andrus scored to break a sixth-inning tie. It stayed that way until Kimbrel, one of six Red Sox players named to the AL All-Star roster earlier in the evening, came on in the ninth and failed to retire any of the four batters he faced.
"In 12 pitches, a lot happened," Red Sox manager John Farrell said after his team stranded 14 baserunners and went 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position. "We had ample opportunity, with runners on base in almost every single inning. A missed opportunity tonight."
The Red Sox had the most players selected to the AL roster for next week's All-Star Game in San Diego. Texas had two, outfielder Ian Desmond and starter Cole Hamels.
Price (8-6) threw 46 pitches in first two innings — 45 after Choo drove the first one of the game out to center. Texas loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before Prince Fielder struck out looking — drawing a mock cheer from Boston fans.
But the Rangers managed just one more run in the inning. Price settled down and the Red Sox tied it before Andrus singled and scored to make it 3-2 on Rougned Odor's double.
"He flipped the switch tonight in like the third or fourth inning," Desmond said. "He threw the ball really well. I think in his case it was just a little bit too late."
Rangers starter A.J. Griffin left after four innings, and Cesar Ramos (3-3) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.
Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia and Travis Shaw had two hits apiece for the Red Sox. Jackie Bradley Jr. homered for Boston, which had won two straight.
ALL-STARS
Betts, Bradley and shortstop Xander Bogaerts will start for the AL in the All-Star Game, joining designated hitter David Ortiz, making his 10th and final appearance. Kimbrel and knuckleballer Stephen Wright were also selected.
For a team with six All-Stars — and the possibility of seven, with Pedroia in the running for the final spot on the AL roster — the Red Sox aren't playing very well. Boston is 8-13 since opening June with a three-game lead in the AL East, falling into third place.
"I don't think we are as bad as we're showing," Bradley said. "We're definitely capable of putting together a good run. Hopefully that comes soon."
PRICE IS WRONG
In all, Price allowed three runs, eight hits and a walk, striking out 10. But he didn't want to talk about how he settled down and lasted eight innings, how he fanned Desmond in the fifth for his 1,500th career strikeout, or how he posted his sixth game of the season with 10 or more strikeouts.
"There's nothing positive to put out," he said. "I'm tired of this. It's not me. I've got to get better."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: Choo left the game in the fifth with lower back stiffness. ... 1B Mitch Moreland (right calf tightness) was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game. ... With three starters on the DL, Texas called up RHP Jose Leclerc from Triple-A Round Rock and designated LHP Michael Roth for assignment. Leclerc, 22, has split time between Double-A Frisco and Round Rock this season and has never played in the majors.
Red Sox: Boston activated veteran C Ryan Hanigan (neck strain) from the 15-day DL following a rehab stint with Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox optioned C Christian Vazquez to Pawtucket after Monday night's game against Texas.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (7-4, 3.39 ERA) is 6-0 with two no-decisions in his last eight starts. Perez, who leads the Rangers with 17 starts already, hasn't taken a loss since May 18, at Oakland.
Red Sox: Wright (9-5, 2.42) gets another shot at the Rangers, who tagged him for eight runs and seven hits over 4 2-3 innings in a loss at Texas on June 25.
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