First two games of Rangers series

In game one against the Texas Rangers, the Red Sox blew an 8-2 lead to lose 10-9 in extra innings. The Sox could not take advantage of three straight home runs and Daniel Bard blew a save. Josh Beckett was shaky again as he gave up six runs in 5 innings. I think Beckett needs to pick up the pace a little or the Red Sox will falter. More bad news: Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the 15-day DL for the third time this season.

Jon Lester was able to overcome 102-degree heat to win his second straight start, scattering five hits over eight shutout innings to win 3-1. Ryan Kalish scored two in the victory, going 2-4. Bill Hall had a clutch stolen base and started a nice double play for the Sox. In the double play, Mike Lowell made an excellent scoop at first base. I think Lowell has really adapted to first, and he can play as well as Youk did there. Lester made an absolutely excellent move to pick off Julio Borbon in the third inning, nailing him at second. Victor Martinez made an excellent throw in the ninth to gun down Vladimir Guerrero heading to second. I am very glad that Lester has rebounded from four straight losses to win these two.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox remain four games back in the wild card and six back of the division lead, since Kelly Shoppach's grand slam propelled the Rays to a 7-3 win over red-hot Baltimore, and Alex Rodriguez slammed three home runs to give the Yankees an 8-3 victory over Kansas City. I am annoyed that both the Yanks and the Rays are playing last-place teams, but the Red Sox are facing a first-place club.

Trivia
Lester has a 14 and 1/3 innings scoreless streak.