Red Sox Aim to Take Series From Rangers, End Trip on High Note

After Jon Lester righted the ship, Daisuke Matsuzaka will attempt to end the Red Sox’ long road trip on a positive note when he goes in the finale of a three-game set at Texas on Sunday.

Lester threw eight scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory Saturday night, which enabled Boston to remain four games out in the wild card race and six back in the AL East.

The win also bumped the Sox to 5-4 on their 10-game road trip. They finished a 10-gamer last month with a 6-4 mark, and would love to duplicate that effort.

Matsuzaka will be opposed by C.J. Wilson, who has performed well against Boston in 2010.

WHEN AND WHERE

Red Sox (67-51) at Rangers (66-49)
Sunday, Aug. 15, 3:05 p.m.
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Red Sox Live Blog

HEAD TO HEAD

The Rangers have won five of the last seven meetings.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. LHP C.J. Wilson (10-5, 3.30 ERA)

Matsuzaka’s strong second half was slightly derailed five days ago in Toronto. Although the Red Sox won 7-5, he was reached for four runs in 5 2/3 innings and did not factor into the decision.

The righty is 3-0 over his last six starts overall and 4-1 on the road this year. He is 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in four career starts vs. Texas.

Wilson has defeated Boston twice already this season, both times coming at Fenway Park. He allowed a run on just three hits while striking out 10 in 6 2/3 innings against the Sox on July 18.

The lefty is 1-0 but with a 5.79 ERA in his last three starts.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• Right fielder J.D. Drew is batting .333 (8-for-24) with four home runs and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
• Catcher Victor Martinez had an 11-game hitting streak snapped Saturday.
• Lefty Felix Doubront recorded his first career save Saturday.

Rangers

• Outfielder Josh Hamilton is batting .399 (91-for-228) with 17 home runs at home this year.
• Right-hander Darren O’Day had a scoreless streak of 26 1/3 innings broken Saturday.
• Third baseman Michael Young is batting .184 (9-for-49) in August.

BLACK AND BLUE

Red Sox

• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season with soreness in his troubled left side, the result of a collision at first base Friday night.
• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot) went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored while playing second base in his first rehab game Saturday in Pawtucket. He is expected to DH on Sunday before returning to the Red Sox on Tuesday.
• First baseman Kevin Youkilis has successful surgery Friday to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
• Center fielder Mike Cameron is on the DL with a lower abdominal strain. His activity is very limited.
• Catcher Jason Varitek (broken right foot) did some running on the field Friday. He remains at least a week behind Pedroia.
• Catcher Kevin Cash is on the DL with a left hamstring strain.
• Left-hander Hideki Okajima was placed on the DL on Friday with a right hamstring strain.
• Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.

Rangers

• Right fielder Nelson Cruz left Saturday’s game with an apparent leg injury after legging out a triple.
• Infielder Cristian Guzman was placed on the DL on Saturday with a strained right quad.
• Second baseman Ian Kinsler may return in late August or early September with a left groin strain.
• Infielder Joaquin Arias is on the DL with a strained back muscle.
• Catcher Matt Treanor is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week as he recovers from a sprained right knee.
• Right-hander Dustin Nippert is on the DL with a head contusion.

OUTLOOK

A 5-5 road trip against the likes of the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rangers is nothing to be ashamed of. A 6-4 road trip would be a pretty nice accomplishment, and could provide the momentum needed for Boston to roll through its upcoming nine-game homestand.