The Boston Red Sox suffered their third straight defeat as they fell 6-3 to the Texas Rangers. John Smoltz struggled for the Red Sox and was hit for consecutive home runs at the bottom of the sixth inning by David Murphy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia on Monday. "I'm trying my best to not get frustrated over the results, but they do frustrate me because I felt like the game was well in hand," Smoltz said. "One pitch I'd like to have back, but at the end of the day I gave up six runs. It's unacceptable."
David Ortiz had given Boston a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double, but the Rangers came back to post their second win on the bounce. The loss means Boston are tied at the top of the AL East by the New York Yankees. Hideki Matsui blasted a homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Yankees sneaked a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Andy Pettitte was also instrumental for the Yankees, striking out eight in seven and one third innings to help his team post their fourth straight win.
Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Rays suffered a 4-2 defeat to the Chicago White Sox. A three-run homer in the third for Paul Konerko proved the difference for Chicago, who are just one game behind AL Central leaders Detroit Tigers. A seven-run seventh inning, including homers for Matt Holliday and Jack Cust, helped the Oakland Athletics come from behind to pull off a 14-13 win over the Minnesota Twins.
* PA Sport
