Chicago’s Tim Anderson and Dioner Navarro each hit two-run homers to power the White Sox past the New York Yankees 8-2.
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You know the Boston Red Sox had some sort of redemption on their minds after being hammered 21-2 at home by the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night. It even bounced out when they needed it.
Griffin, he of the 66-67 miles per hour effective breaking ball, is coming off a strong no-decision against the Yankees in NY, where he pitched six innings and allowed a run on two hits. The right-hander didn’t walk anybody, and one of those four first-inning runs went as unearned.
Rick Porcello (10-2) overcame a rough first inning when he allowed four runs, improving to 7-0 in Fenway Park this season.
“We’ve got to be better”, Rangers manager Jeff Bannister said. In his last outing, the 30-year-old Vanderbilt product allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings in a 4-0 loss to the Rays last Wednesday.
Nick Martinez (1-2) was pelted with six runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings for Texas.
David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez each had two doubles.
Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 2.20ERA) totes the rubber after struggling in his last two starts (seven earned runs). The Sox turned one double play on the infield and Holt threw out Shin-Soo Choo trying to score on a single to left field to end the fourth inning.
The lead grew to 8-4 over the next three innings, as Pedroia drove in Shaw in the fifth and then JBJ and Shaw both had RBI hits in the sixth. Leon, who had 39 hits in 75 career games prior to this season, has 20 in 15 games this year and is batting.500.
Ortiz tied Williams for the second-most doubles ever in Fenway with 319.
Bannister came up with the idea when he first saw the schedule, and the Rangers’ players, coaches and staff wore patriotic-themed suits – navy blue blazers covered with stars and red slacks – to Boston for Independence Day.
“Yeah, when something like that happens people start poking fun”, Holt said, breaking into a smile. “First of all, what better place to come to”.
Price has been shaky on the mound lately, so I’ll go with the Rangers for the win here. I’m like: “‘Oh, ideal storm.’ Let’s suit up and go have fun in Boston”.
Red Sox: Boston manager John Farrell said C Ryan Hanigan (neck strain) will be activated from the DL on Tuesday, with C Christian Vazquez optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
NOTES: Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland missed his second straight start with right calf soreness.
Mookie Betts’ sky-high, Carlton Fisk-like fly ball down the left field line in the second inning was called foul.
Red Sox: LHP David Price (8-5, 4.74) will be looking for a better start against the Rangers. Texas has dropped five of its last six games and is allowing an average of nine runs in those setbacks.TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), NESN (Boston) PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH A.J. Griffin (3-0, 2.93 ERA) vs.
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Their crosstown rivals, the Cubs, also won as Kris Bryant hit his 24th home run of the season before leaving with a bruised leg in their 10-4 victory over Cincinnati.
