Boston Red Sox (22-26) at Texas Rangers (23-25), 8:05 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Boston Red Sox try to deny the Texas Rangers another series win at home on Friday when they continue a four-game set at Rangers Ballpark.
Boston drew first blood in this series on Thursday, as Eduardo Rodriguez tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings in his major-league debut and the Red Sox rolled to a 5-1 win.
The 22-year-old Rodriguez (1-0) yielded just three hits and a pair of walks in his first big league action, becoming the first Boston pitcher to win his first start since Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007.
"He was outstanding. Very impressive," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "To see the middle of their order, the way they reacted to his fastball ... just a very impressive outing all around."
Nick Martinez (4-1) suffered his first defeat of the season despite limiting Boston to just two runs over seven innings.
"I think my tempo had more to do with it than anything," Martinez said. "My tempo was too slow."
Texas has now lost two in a row after a seven-game winning streak. However the Rangers are a mere 6-14 in their ballpark and have yet to win a series this season there, going 0-5-1.
Getting the call for the Rangers on Friday will be righty Yovani Gallardo, who has won two of his last three starts. Gallardo beat the New York Yankees on Sunday, holding them to a pair of runs and four hits in six innings to run his record to 4-6, while lowering his ERA to 4.13.
"I was able to use my curveball on first pitch to get ahead of hitters or behind in the count," Gallardo said. "When I did leave my fastball over the plate, the hitters' timing was off just a little bit."
Gallardo lost to the Red Sox two starts ago and is 1-2 with a 5.52 ERA in three starts against them.
Heading to the hill for the Red Sox on Friday will be righty Steven Wright, who is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA. Wright beat the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, as he allowed two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Texas took two of three from the Red Sox earlier in the year.