Darnell McDonald’s game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning carried the Boston Red Sox to a much-needed 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Red Sox, while sending the Rangers to their fifth consecutive defeat.
McDonald, who was called-up from Triple-A on Monday, came on to pinch-hit in the eighth inning and subsequently drilled a game-tying two-run home run over the left-centerfield wall off Rangers left-hander Darren Oliver to even the score at 6-6.
With the game tied going into the ninth, Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Bill Hall then bunted Youkilis to third and Mike Lowell was intentionally walked.
Adrian Beltre followed with an ill-timed infield popup, which sent McDonald to the plate with two away and the winning run on third. McDonald came through and ripped an 0-1 fastball off of Rangers reliever Frank Francisco (2-3).
Red Sox closer Jonathan Papalbon (1-1) worked the ninth for the win. Jeremy Hermida homered in the fourth inning as Boston overcame a 5-1 deficit.
Texas | Boston | |
Colby Lewis | Player | Tim Wakefield |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
5.0 | IP | 6.0 |
5 | Strikeouts | 3 |
5 | Hits | 7 |
5.40 | ERA | 9.00 |
Texas | Boston | |
Nelson Cruz | Player | Victor Martinez |
2 | Hits | 3 |
1 | RBI | 1 |
0 | HR | 0 |
3 | TB | 3 |
.500 | Avg | .750 |