By the time Boston and Texas were through, there were 36 runs on the scoreboard and the Red Sox had rallied to win – after blowing a 10-run lead.
Hide all the pitchers! It was one of those crazy nights at Fenway Park.
Kevin Youkilis’ go-ahead homer sent Boston to a 19-17 victory Tuesday after the Rangers fought back from a 10-run first inning that included a pair of three-run homers by David Ortiz.
Youkilis drove a three-run shot over the Green Monster in the eighth for his second homer of a dizzying night, breaking a 16-all tie and finally deciding one of the wildest games this season.
“This was a game that I think potentially could have been a major downer for us,” Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell said, “and we actually turned around and made it actually a great win.”
The 36 combined runs tied an AL record set June 29, 1950, when Boston beat the Philadelphia Athletics 22-14. The teams totaled 37 hits.
The 19 runs were the most scored by the Red Sox this season and they ruined a Rangers comeback that matched the greatest ever against Boston. The Red Sox also squandered a 10-run lead against Toronto on June 4, 1989, when they lost 13-11 in 12 innings after leading 10-0 through six.
Texas’ Marlon Byrd and Boston’s Dustin Pedroia each had five hits. Ortiz had six RBIs and Youkilis had five. Ian Kinsler and Chris Davis had four RBIs apiece for Texas. And Rangers starter Scott Feldman became the first major league pitcher to allow 12 runs and not take the loss since Gene Packard of the St. Louis Cardinals got the win in a 16-12 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 3, 1918.
“At some point,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, “you’re thinking about going for a field goal.”
In other AL games, it was: New York 9, Minnesota 6 in 12 innings; Oakland 2, Tampa Bay 1; Chicago 9, Kansas City 0; Los Angeles 7, Seattle 3; Toronto 6, Detroit 4; and Cleveland 7, Baltimore 5.
Texas took a 15-14 lead with eight runs in the fifth and five in the six. Each team scored a run in the seventh to set up Boston’s last comeback in the eighth.
Pedroia tied it at 16 with an RBI double and Ortiz was intentionally walked to get to Youkilis, batting in the cleanup spot vacated when Manny Ramirez was traded July 31 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Youkilis connected off Frank Francisco (2-4), bringing fans to their feet as he circled the bases with uncharacteristic speed.
“I also felt the emotion of the boos today,” Youkilis said, referring to his two first-inning strikeouts. “So the roller coaster ride in Boston’s always fun. Luckily, we got the cheers at the end.”
Brandon Boggs doubled home a run in the ninth, but Jonathan Papelbon settled down to earn his 32nd save in 36 chances. Hideki Okajima (3-2) got the win in a game that lasted 3 hours, 58 minutes.
“If they didn’t quit tonight, I don’t think they’re ever going to quit,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington, whose team had 20 hits for the second consecutive game.
Lowell strained a muscle in his right side while swinging in the seventh and left the game. He was scheduled to have an MRI exam Wednesday and might go on the disabled list.
The Red Sox made a move earlier Tuesday. Looking to boost the back end of their rotation, they acquired right-hander Paul Byrd from Cleveland for a player to be named or cash.
Yankees 9, Twins 6, 12 innings
At Minneapolis, Alex Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking homer in the 12th inning and Xavier Nady added a two-run shot as New York overcame Mariano Rivera’s first blown save of the season.
Both homers came off Matt Guerrier (6-6) and helped the Yankees end a four-game losing streak – their longest this season. Johnny Damon hit a leadoff homer and finished with three hits.
Behind another solid outing from Mike Mussina, New York led 6-3 when Rivera relieved with two on and one out in the eighth. Delmon Young sliced a three-run homer inside the right-field foul pole to stun Rivera, who was off to a career-best 28-for-28 start on save chances.
Jose Veras (3-1) worked two innings for the win and Edwar Ramirez earned his first save.
Athletics 2, Rays 1
At Oakland, Calif., Bobby Crosby hit a two-run homer off Scott Kazmir (8-6), and Gio Gonzalez (1-1) earned his first major league win.
Brad Ziegler got three outs for his second save, running his scoreless streak to a team-record 38 innings. It’s also the longest such run to begin a career in modern major league history (since 1900).
Tampa Bay’s AL East lead was trimmed to three games over Boston. The Rays lost for only the third time in 13 games, while Oakland won for the second time in 14 games.
White Sox 9, Royals 0
At Chicago, Javier Vazquez (9-10) matched a season high with 10 strikeouts in eight innings and Jermaine Dye hit a two-run homer.
Nick Swisher and A.J. Pierzynski added solo shots for the White Sox, who moved back into first place in the AL Central, a half-game ahead of Minnesota. Brian Bannister (7-11) lost his fifth straight decision.
Angels 7, Mariners 3
At Anaheim, Calif., Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera homered to help Los Angeles rally.
Jon Garland (11-7) allowed three runs in seven innings for the Angels, who have won five straight. Francisco Rodriguez got his major league-best 46th save.
Blue Jays 6, Tigers 4
At Detroit, Vernon Wells’ two-out, two-run double off Joel Zumaya (0-2) capped a four-run seventh that sent A.J. Burnett (15-9) to his fifth straight win. Adam Lind had three hits, including a homer, and two RBIs. Gary Sheffield homered twice and Magglio Ordonez also connected for the Tigers, who have lost nine of 12.
The Tigers and pitcher Freddy Garcia agreed to a minor league contract. The two-time All-Star is coming off shoulder surgery last August.
Indians 7, Orioles 5
At Cleveland, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth and the Indians won their fifth in a row to match a season high.
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