ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Red Sox took a one-run lead into the ninth, but Josh Hamilton's two-out, two-run pinch-hit double off closer Koji Uehara sent the Rangers to a 4-3 win Sunday afternoon before 32,848 at Globe Life Park.
What it means: The Red Sox (22-29) ended a disappointing 1-6 road trip on a bitter note. Texas took three of four in the series. Both of the Rangers' runs in the ninth were unearned because of an error by third baseman Pablo Sandoval on the leadoff hitter in the frame.
Improved outing: Sox starter Joe Kelly, hit hard in his previous start in Minnesota, limited Texas to one earned run in five innings. He left the game with a 3-2 lead. Kelly needed 100 pitches to get through five, allowing six hits and walking two. Texas left seven on base against him.
Clutch hit: Xander Bogaerts' RBI single to right field in the sixth scored Hanley Ramirez to break a 2-2 tie.
Running Red Sox: Boston stole four bases, the first of the season by Blake Swihart and Rusney Castillo, No. 2 from Ramirez and No. 8 by Mookie Betts. Only Ramirez's swipe figured in the scoring. Betts in the seventh broke for second at the same time reliever Sam Freeman made a pickoff throw to first. But Betts was able to beat the throw to second. Texas disputed the safe call, but it was confirmed by replay.
Slippery sphere: Leaky Red Sox defense carried over from Saturday’s three-error performance. Infielders Dustin Pedroia and Sandoval committed errors in the third inning when the Rangers scored an unearned run to tie the game at 2-2. Pedroia tried to barehand a flip from shortstop Bogaerts in an attempt at a double play on a ball hit by Prince Fielder. Pedroia dropped the ball and the Sox retired no one. Adrian Beltre followed with an RBI single off the glove of the diving Pedroia. Sandoval’s miscue, dropping the ball on a full charge, did not factor in the scoring. Sandoval was charged with his second error and the third by the team when he was unable to glove Hanser Alberto's ground ball in the ninth.
On the board: The Sox broke a 10-inning scoring drought in the first inning on a two-out RBI single by Ramirez. Boston’s previous runs came in the eighth inning of Friday’s 7-4 loss on a two-run homer by Ramirez.
At-‘em balls: Hard-hit ground balls by Castillo and Pedroia right at Texas infielders helped Boston take a 2-1 lead in the second. Castillo’s ball off the glove of Elvis Andrus was scored a hit. Andrus might have been screened by baserunner Sandoval on the play. Pedroia’s shot down the line that caused third baseman Beltre to retreat was ruled an error.
Bouncing back: Right fielder Castillo had defensive problems in Saturday’s game, but he raced toward center field, reached across his body and made a graceful diving catch of a flare off the bat of Andrus in the fifth inning.
On a roll: Reliever Tommy Layne came on with a runner at first and got Shin-Soo Choo to roll into the third out of the sixth inning. The left-hander has stranded 10 of 11 inherited runners including eight in succession. Layne has retired the first batter he has faced in 14 straight appearances.
Up next: The Sox return to Fenway Park to face Minnesota at 7:10 p.m. Monday. Clay Buchholz (2-6, 4.33 ERA) will be opposed by Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey (4-1, 2.77 ERA).