Rangers Get Back To Business - Crush Red Sox 7-2

A huge first inning off knuckleballer Tim Wakefield proved too much for Boston to come back from as Texas scored six runs off six hits in the first alone. Tommy Hunter (above) provided 6 2-3 innings of solid work as he helped to lock the Red Sox down. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

After a poor start to the month of July, the Texas Rangers' (51-38) plan to come out of the All-Star break rested and ready has gotten off to a good start. Texas terrorized Boston Red Sox (51-38) starter Tim Wakefield (L, 3-8) to the tune of seven runs (six earned) on eight hits, knocking the 17-year veteran out of the game after only two innings.

The win stopped a four-game skid and the Rangers, as a whole, looked energized coming out of the break.

"Before the break, I felt like we needed a break. Some of the guys were tired," said Josh Hamilton, who regained the Major League Baseball lead in batting average (.351) with a 3 for 4 game. "Everybody got some rest and we came out stronger."

The Texas offense, which had scored a combined two runs in the last two games before the break, proved to be on it's game early. After Elvis Andrus struck-out looking to start the game, the Rangers reeled off six straight hits, capped off by Bengie Molina's first home-run with Texas, a two run shot that made it 6-0 right out of the gate.

"They strung together a bunch of hits," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

Rangers' starter Tommy Hunter (W, 6-0) pitched 6 2-3 strong innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs for the game. Hunter has won four of his last five starts and three is the most earned runs he has given up all-season long (eight starts).

It's a good start to the second-half of the season for the Rangers, as the play in the two weeks of baseball before the All-Star break was atrocious.

These two teams meet again Friday night with a scheduled 6:10 p.m. start time. Colby Lewis (8-5, 3.33 ERA) starts for Texas and Felix Doubront (1-1, 4.22) with get the nod from Boston.

News and Notes:

• Josh Hamilton was lifted in the seventh inning for a pinch runner after feeling tightness in his left calf. It doesn't appear serious, however, as Hamilton said after the game that he could have remained in the game if necessary.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)