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Millwood Leads Rangers Over Red Sox

The first place Texas Rangers rolled into Fenway Park for a weekend series on Friday night, having lost their last eight games in Boston. But, those were the old Rangers with their customary awful pitching. This season, they’ve turned a new leaf, behind the strong arm of Kevin Millwood, who happened to be on the mound Friday. Millwod tossed seven strong innings to earn the win, with one unearned run allowed and seven hits and four walks to lower his season ERA to 2.96.

Millwood held the Sox at bay for most of the game, but faced some trouble in the eighth inning, when he faced three batters without recording an out. Mired in a season-long slump, David Ortiz knocked in a run on a single, but other than that, the Sox bats were quiet in a 5-1 Rangers win.

Sox Stud of the Game

David Ortiz, DH: Big Papi may need to get his dry eyes check, but he was adequate Friday night. He went 1-4 to raise his average to .188 and drove in the Sox lone run.

Sox Dud of the Game

Julio Lugo, SS: Lugo went 0-3 with a strikeout and was pinch hit for in the eighth inning. Overall, he’s killing the Red Sox with his lack of range at shortstop, and his .256 average with no power leaves much to be desired.

Game Notes

W: Kevin Millwood (5-4)
L: Brad Penny (5-2)

• Before the game, it was rumored that the Braves are targeting Brad Penny. There was no word on whether his start (5.2 IP, 5 ER) changed their mind.
• The Sox bullpen tossed 3.2 more scoreless innings pitched.
• The Sox were 1-12 with runners in scoring position.

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Brad Penny, Kevin Millwood, Red Sox, Texas Rangers