Rangers 5, Red Sox 1: Rangers Sweep Red Sox Behind Four More Homers

The Texas Rangers completed their sweep of the Boston Red Sox to open the 2011 season, sending the Boston to a 5-1 loss with homer after homer.

Clay Buchholz provided the Red Sox with their best start yet, but that's not necessarily saying much. After not scoring in the first inning, the Rangers quickly remembered what series it was, and started hitting homers again. David Murphy got it started this time around in the second, digging out a fairly impressive fastball dipping low and inside,  drifted back into the stands in right field. Ian Kinsler, who finally failed to lead off the game with a bomb, turned out to just be waiting for the third inning, when he added his own on a hanging two-strike changeup. And if that wasn't ridiculous enough, Mike Napoli made it 10 on the series for the Rangers in the fifth.

Still, the lead was only 3-0 at this point, as Buchholz had yet to give up a hit other than the three home runs, and had only allowed two walks--both to Ian Kinsler, who he was clearly trying to pitch around. With just a three-run deficit to overcome, the Sox went to work in the seventh on Matt Harrison, who had been looking like a Cy Young candidate to this point. With Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz reaching on a walk and single to start the inning, Carl Crawford delivered a one-out single up the middle, finally putting the Red Sox on the board. The Sox would even have a chance to tie the game, with Jacoby Ellsbury at bat with the bases loaded, but Matt Harrison got him swinging to end the threat.

Just as soon as the Sox closed the lead to two, though, it was right back out to three thanks to--you guessed it--yet another home run. Nelson Cruz did the honors this time with an upper-decker, sending Clay Buchholz to the locker room with four home runs in just five hits.

With the Rangers having made just about every Red Sox pitcher look bad over the course of the series, they moved to make it as complete a set as possible in the eighth, when Terry Francona decided to get Jonathan Papelbon some work. If Sox fans were hoping for a bounce back year, the inning was indicative of anything but, as Papelbon allowed a run and loaded the bases before recording an out.

With things in danger of getting ridiculously out of hand, he did fight back to strike out Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, and David Murphy in order, but that was about the only bright spot to be found. Facing a 5-1 deficit in the ninth, no rally was forthcoming from the bottom of the Sox' order, allowing Texas to close things out cleanly.

Red Sox Vs. Rangers: Boston Tries To Dodge The Sweep Behind Clay Buchholz, Carl Crawford Bats Seventh

Clay Buchholz will take the mound against the Rangers Sunday at 2:05 EDT, trying to save the Red Sox from opening the season by getting swept in Arlington, Texas.

Buchholz, long considered one of the Red Sox’ most promising young pitchers, finally had that potential shine through in 2010, pitching to an outstanding 2.33 ERA and going 17-7 in just over 170 innings of work. While his peripherals weren’t nearly as impressive, the hope is that last year will have given him enough confidence to go with his at times dominant stuff, leading to another impressive year.

He will need to quiet a dangerous Texas Lineup that has already scored 21 runs off the Red Sox in just two games, however.

1. Ian Kinsler, DH
2. Michael Young, 2B
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Nelson Cruz, RF
6. David Murphy, LF
7. Mike Napoli, C
8. Mitch Moreland, 1B
9. Andres Blanco, SS

While it’s still a potent offensive group, the good news is that, with Michael Young in the infield, Hamilton in Center, and Andrus sitting, this is a far less impressive bunch defensively than the Red Sox lineup has seen in the last two games.

Speaking of the Red Sox lineup, Terry Francona has made an interesting—and in ways impressive—switch against Texas’ left-handed starter.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Jed Lowrie, SS
7. Carl Crawford, LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Darnell McDonald, RF

First, Jed Lowrie has been inserted to do what he does best: destroy left-handed pitching. Darnell McDonald, too, has good numbers against southpaws. But what’s most interesting is seeing Carl Crawford batting seventh. That’s a strong move from manager Terry Francona, who many expected would not risk upsetting Crawford by moving him down against lefties. For the moment, the move is expected to be temporary, but we’ll have to see how it turns out in the long run.

Matt Harrison will be given the task of trying to keep the Red Sox off the board. And while his being left-handed gives him an advantage, with a 4.71 ERA in 2010, the Sox have a good shot at beating up on an unimpressive and inexperienced pitcher, and maybe giving Texas a taste of their own medicine.

Rangers 12, Red Sox 5: John Lackey, Boston Routed By Texas

The Red Sox are now off to an 0-2 start thanks to a horrendous start from starter John Lackey that sent the Red Sox to a 12-5 loss. The Texas Rangers collected ten hits and nine runs off the righty, including a grand slam from Adrian Beltre that chased Lackey from the game with just two outs in the fourth inning.

Ian Kinsler became the first player in major league history to lead off the first two games of a season with a home run, hurting Lackey early on with a long shot to center. While the Rangers looked like they were slowing down in the second, striking out twice, they quickly proved otherwise with extra base hit after extra base hit. Lackey couldn't keep the ball out of the air, and the Rangers hurt him for it.

The wheels really fell off in the fourth, though. With a 3-3 tie and two outs in the inning, Lackey gave up a deep fly ball to Yorvit Torrealba. Jacoby Ellsbury almost managed to make a diving catch that would have ended the inning, but missed by an inch and Torrealba ended up at second base. That began a veritable parade of baserunners. When Josh Hamilton came up with a 5-3 score and men on second and third, the Sox elected to intentionally walk him. In came Adrian Beltre, who made them pay in a hurry, launching a no-doubter grand slam to cap off the inning.

The Red Sox did receive a home run from David Ortiz for a second straight day, as well as one from Jacoby Ellsbury who has kept up his strong spring production. Both Kevin Youkilis and Adrian Gonzalez continued to provide hits too, but there was no overcoming the terrible performance of John Lackey.

Red Sox Vs. Rangers: John Lackey, Boston Seek First Win In Texas

John Lackey gets the start on Saturday night as the Boston Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers in the second game of the 2011 MLB season at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington at 8:05 p.m. EDT.

Lackey, a 14-game winner in 2010, looks to improve on a less than stellar campaign last season. Although he struck out 156, Lackey lost 11 games and gave up a career-high 105 earned runs and 72 walk while posting a dismal 4.40 ERA. This is the first start of the season for Lackey, who was named the No. 2 starter at the end of spring training.

Despite a solid debut from Adrian Gonzalez (2-for-4, 3 RBI), the Red Sox (0-1) fell short in their season opener on Friday afternoon, losing 9-5 to the Rangers (1-0). David Murphy hit the go-ahead a two-run double in the eighth inning to power Texas.

Jon Lester struggled through his first start for Boston, which resulted in a no-decision, allowing five earned runs and three home runs in five and a third innings.

Former Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre had a solid debut in his first game with his new team, the Rangers, going 1-for-4 with a walk.

Texas manager Ron Washington will give the start to Colby Lewis, who was 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA at home last season.

Red Sox Opening Day: Boston Bullpen Blows It In Eighth, Sox Fall To Rangers, 9-5

With both starting pitchers chased from the game in the sixth inning, the fate of Friday's season opener betwen the Red Sox and the Rangers was left in the hands of the bullpens. For Boston, that was unfortunate. 

The Red Sox, who trailed 5-4 from the fourth inning on, managed to tie it in the top of the eighth on a David Ortiz solo home run -- the 350th career homer for Big Papi. But then the bottom of the eighth happened.  

In the bottom of the frame, Daniel Bard entered, and after getting a flyout from the leadoff batter, proceeded to allow a career-high four runs on four hits while recording just two outs. The scoring begin with former Red Sox' David Murphy's double to left field that was so close to being foul it kicked up chalk as it landed and got past Carl Crawford. Elvis Andrus drove him in two batters latter with a gap-finding double to right center, giving the Rangers an 8-5 lead. A Josh Hamilton double to right made it 9-5, and chased Bard from the game. 

The Rangers' bullpen did the work after C.J. Wilson departed in two outs in the sixth: the combination of Mark Lowe, Arthur Rhodes, Darren Oliver and Neftali Feliz held the Red Sox to just one run -- Ortiz's homer -- through the final 3.1 innings.  

Game two of the series with the Rangers is set for Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. ET. 

Red Sox Opening Day: The Scene In Photos

Part of what makes Opening Day so great, beyond the official start of a new baseball season, and the unofficial end of winter and blossoming of spring, is the ceremony that goes along with it all. The pomp and circumstance. 

The Reds have been holding an Opening Day parade through Cincinnati since before the 1900s, and the tradition has continued, and spread throughout the league. 

Friday's season opener between the Red Sox and Rangers is no exception, complete with the now seemingly required huge American flag in the outfield and a fly over (via a B-52): 

(Photos by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Red Sox Opening Day: Mike Napoli Home Run Gives Rangers 5-4 Lead

It's a career first for Jon Lester on Friday in the 2011 season opener. But it's a first he'd rather not have.

Mike Napoli took Lester deep in the bottom of the fourth, sneaking a three-run home run inside the left field foul pole, giving the Rangers the 5-4 lead and marking the first time Lester has ever surrendered three home runs in one game in his major league career. 

Lester, who is making his first ever Opening day start, hasn't looked like the ace so far. In five innings of work, the lefty has given up five runs on five hits -- three of them homers -- and no strikeouts. He hasn't been terrible -- 44 strikes on 75 pitches, and 12 of the 18 outs have been groundballs -- but he just hasn't been sharp, either. The good news: it's only the first game of the season, obviously. Moreover, traditionally Lester struggles in the first month of the season -- don't panic yet, Sox fans. 

Boston Red Sox Opening Day: Adrian Gonzalez Has Boston Up 4-2 After Three Innings

The first three inning of the 2011 Boston Red Sox season is in the books, and already Adrian Gonzalez is showing why he demands a new (huge) contract from Theo Epstein.

Gonzalez is 2-for-2 already -- a pair of singles -- with three RBI, two of them coming on a single up the middle with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning to give the Red Sox a 4-2 lead. And it was 

The 2011 season was ushered in with a wild first inning Friday afternoon in Texas. Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a high, lazy fly ball to right-center, but Nelson Cruz and Julio Bourbon didn't lazily collided, allowing the ball to drop, and Ellsbury to reach second base. Kevin Youkilis' double off the wall in right field scored Ellsbury. Gonzalez followed with his first hit and RBI, driving in Youkilis with a single through the right side. 

Boston's 2-0 lead was quickly cut in half when Ian Kinsler took the second pitch he saw from Jon Lester and lined it into the seats in left field. A home run from Cruz in the bottom of the second tied it up, 2-2, and atoned for his first-inning error. 

In the top of the third, the Red Sox added a couple more runs on Gonzalez's double to take a 4-2 lead heading into the fourth inning. 

Boston Red Sox Opening Day: Lineups Posted For Game With Texas Rangers

The seemingly endless winter is over (ignore the snow on the ground for the time being). Baseball is back. 

It officially began on Thursday, with six games on MLB's Opening Day, but the Boston Red Sox season doesn't begin until 4:05 p.m. ET on Friday, when Jacoby Ellsbury stands in against C.J. Wilson, starting a 2011 campaign that hopefully goes well into October. 

Here are the lineups for Game 1 of 162: 

Boston Red Sox

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Carl Crawford LF
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
6. David Ortiz DH
7. Mike Cameron RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Marco Scutaro SS

Jon Lester, P

Texas Rangers

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, LF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B (miss u!)
5. Michael Young, DH
6. Nelson Cruz, RF
7. Mike Napoli, 1B
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Julio Borbon, CF

C.J. Wilson, P

Boston Red Sox Opening Day: Time, TV Info And More For Friday's Opener

The new-look Boston Red Sox season (finally) begins on Friday, with Jon Lester getting the start against C.J. Wilson as the defending American League champion Texas Rangers host Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and the rest of the Red Sox in the 2011 season opener. 

TIme: 4:05 p.m. EST 

TV Information: Nationally, it's on ESPN (Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Bobby Valentine), while locally, NESN has the broadcast (Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy in the booth).

Starting Pitchers: LHP Jon Lester (19-9, 3.25 ERA in 2010) against LHP C.J. Wilson (15-8, 3.35 ERA) 

First Pitch: A pair of former Rangers will be on hand to make the ceremonial first pitch: outfielder Jeff Burroughs and pitcher Charlie Hough. 

"As we recognize the Rangers' 40th season in Texas, we felt that the first pitch ceremony should reflect the history of the club," commented Rangers' President Nolan Ryan. "Jeff Burroughs was the first great offensive star for the Rangers in the 1970's, and Charlie Hough was the club's ace throughout the 1980's. It is a very appropriate that they take part in the opening day activities."

Additionally, before the game, the Rangers will officially raise the 2010 American League Championship Flag.

Fly Over: Yep. A B-52 Bomber from the 20th Bomb Squad of Barksdale Air Force Base.

For more, head over to our Red Sox blog, Over The Monster

Red Sox Opening Day: What To Watch For As Boston Starts 2011 Season

The Red Sox will get their season underway against the Texas Rangers on Friday. And while everyone wants to see Adrian Gonzalez hit, that's not all there is to watch out for. We lay out five things to keep an eye on as the season begins.

Media Roundup: Red Sox And NESN, Together Again For Opening Day

The Red Sox begin their 2011 season on Friday, meaning it's time to make room for a few familiar faces in your life. Of course, we mean NESN's Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Heidi Watney.

Opening Day 2011: Red Sox Begin 2011 Season Against Rangers

The 2011 Boston Red Sox season begins Friday, the second day of baseball's two-part Opening Day (six games on Thursday, including Tigers-Yankees, officially start the new season), in Arlington, Texas. The Red Sox, led by new acquisitions Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, take on the defending American League champions in a three-game series beginning Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET. 

Jon Lester is the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox, while the Rangers are handing the ball to C.J. Wilson. On Thursday, manager Terry Francona released the Red Sox' starting lineup for Friday: 

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Carl Crawford LF
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
6. David Ortiz DH
7. Mike Cameron RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Marco Scutaro SS

Before you freak out, this is not necessarily the regular lineup -- with Wilson, a devastating lefty, on the mound, J.D. Drew sits in favor of Cameron. 

Opening Weekend Series at Texas Rangers:

Fri., April 1, 4:05 p.m. 
ESPN/NESN
Jon Lester vs. C.J. Wilson

Sat., April 2, 8:05 p.m.
NESN
John Lackey vs. Colby Lewis

Sun., April 3, 2:05 p.m. 
NESN
Clay Buchholz vs. Matt Harrison

Complete 2011 Red Sox Schedule