OK, boys, seven to tie and eight to win.
Top of the 9th Rangers 9, Red Sox 4
There's no quit in the Red Sox. Gonzo walked and went to third on a double by Youkilis. Ortiz then singled in a run and McDonald had a sac fly for another. It all came off Mike Gonzalez.
Middle of the 8th: Rangers 9, Red Sox 2
1-2-3 inning for Bowden with strike outs of Young and Beltre. Nice work.
Top of the 8th: Rangers 9, Red Sox 2
Albers left the bases loaded in the top of the inning. Then the Sox showed an offensive pulse in the bottom. Crawford had an infield single and took third on a double by Salty. Scutaro then came through with a two-run single. But Ellsbury and Aviles left him there.
Mike Bowden is in now. Decent outing for Albers: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Hey, he's gotta start somewhere.
Yankees won 9-3.
Top of the 7th: Rangers 9, Red Sox 0
The Sox went in order weakly as Gonzalez flied to left, Youkilis popped to second and Ortiz struck out. Harrison threw seven pitches. Courageous inning there for the Sox.
Then Francona took Pedroia out of the game, subbing Aviles in. That's the white flag.
Middle of the 6th: Rangers 9, Red Sox 0
Ka-boom. The Rangers sent 12 men to the plate and scored seven runs on five hits, four walks and a sacrifice fly. Lackey was responsible for the first four runs. Felix Doubront then came in and was worse.
Another lopsided Rangers-Red Sox game. The Sox will be 1.5 games out after today. They haven't been that far out since July 5.
Lackey was due for one of these and it comes at just the wrong time.
Top of the 6th: Rangers 2, Red Sox 0
Scutaro walked with one out and took second on a wild pitch. Ellsbury lined to second as Kinsler made a great play on a ball up the middle. Pedroia then fouled out to first. He's having a bad day. 0 for 3 with an error.
Jackson update
He left the game with a bruised right knee.
Middle of the 5th: Rangers 2, Red Sox 0
Chavez hit a ball to the right of the mound. Lackey fell and from his knees threw the ball away. It went as a single and an error. With Chavez on second, Lackey settled don and retired the side.
Two runs on five hits over five innings for Lackey. He's doing his job.
