STAR OF THE GAME: Mike NapoliMike Napoli continued to crush Red Sox pitching. He went 3-for-4 with a run scored and four RBI. With the Sox leading by a run in the fourth inning, Napoli hit another two-run home run, giving the Rangers a lead they would not relinquish.It was Napolis seventh career home run at Fenway, the most of any ballpark for him behind only Angel Stadium, his former home ballpark, where he hit 54 home runs, and Rangers Ballpark, where he has hit 19. It was also his third two-run homer in the two-game set.Napoli added a two-run double in the Rangers three-run eighth-inning, putting the game out of hand for the Sox.
HONORABLE MENTION: Derek HollandHolland gave up a two-run home run to Dustin Pedroia in the second inning, but that was all the Red Sox would get off the Rangers left-hander. He allowed just four more baserunners after that, two on walks and two on hits, with Mike Aviles, lead-off single in the third, getting picked off.
THE GOAT: Bobby ValentineFor the second time in three games, Valentine arguably left a pitcher in too long. With the Rangers leading by a run, left-hander Franklin Morales entered to start the eighth inning. After getting Elvis Andrus to fly out, Morales gave up a single to left-handed hitting Josh Hamilton. With right-hander Matt Albers warming up in the pen, Valentine left Morales in to face four straight right-handed batters, all of whom reached base. Hamilton scored when Craig Gentry was hit by a pitch in his left ankle, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz scored on Mike Napolis double. Mitch Moreland, a left-handed batter, was intentionally walked by Morales. Albers then entered and got Brandon Snyder to ground into a double play to end the game.
TURNING POINTMike Napolis two-run home run in the fourth gave the Rangers a one-run lead, and that was all starter Derek Holland would need.
STAT OF THE DAY: .358Mike Napoli went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and four RBI Wednesday. He is batting .358 (24-for-67) with 10 home runs and 24 RBI in 20 games against the Red Sox since the start of the 2010 season.
QUOTE OF THE DAYSure, I was booing myself. It didnt work out.Manager Bobby Valentine, if he expected to get booed after leaving Franklin Morales in to face seven batters, giving up three runs, before lifting him for Matt Albers in the eighth.