BOSTON – Chris Surt resolved five blank episodes by meeting his second outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery, and the Boston Red Sox doubled the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Friday.
Boston showed signs of life after being swept by the Yankees in a series that plunged him to third place in the Eastern Division of the American League.
Xander Bogaerts connected on a home run and the Red Sox, who led the division on July 30, shook off 6 doubles on their return to Fenway Park, now as third and out of the places that provide postseason tickets.
The Yankees also won on the day, leaving Boston a game and a half behind in the bid for the second wildcard ticket in the Americana.
Surt (2-0) made 71 pitches, accepted an undisputed 5 p.m., handed out a ticket and handed out five strikeouts, to secure his second win in two openings since the operation that replaced his elbow ligament.
Bogaerts produced a single run in the first inning and hit a lone homer in the fifth. Kyle Schwarber followed with a ball, JD Martinez fired a double and Mexican Alex Botxí added a two-cornered bat that towed another pair of runs to put the board at 5-0 and end Dane Dunning’s performance. (5-8).
For the Rangers, the Cubans Adolis García 3-0, Andy Ibáñez 3-2. The Venezuelans Yohel Pou 3-1, Yonny Hernandez 4-1.
For the Red Sox, the Puerto Ricans Kike Hernández 5-2 with one scored and two produced, Christian Vázquez 4-1 with one scored. The Dominican Rafael Devers 4-0. The Mexican Executioner 4-1 with two drives.