Texas Rangers Fall to Boston Red Sox 3-2

Kevin Romine led off the ninth inning with his first home run of the season and Mike Boddicker outlasted Nolan Ryan for his 10th straight victory as the Boston Red Sox edged the Texas Rangers 3-2 today.

Ryan who allowed just seven hits and two runs in trying for his 297th career victory, threw 144 pitches before being replaced by Kenny Rogers (2-4) to start the ninth.

Romine lined a 3-2 pitch high into the screen in left, enabling the Red Sox to finish 9-2 on a home stand in which they took over the lead in the AL East.

Boddicker (11-3) allowed 10 hits, struck out nine and walked three in extending the longest win streak of his career. He also has three no-decisions in 13 starts since his last loss, 3-1 to California on April 25.

Ryan, who struck out seven and walked four, became the only pitcher with 100 or more strikeouts in 22 seasons, one more than Don Sutton.

Ryan is second in the AL with 104 strikeouts, eight behind California’s Mark Langston.

The 43-year-old right-hander, who has not won in four starts at Boston since May 6, 1977, is just 2-8 lifetime at Fenway Park.

Trailing 2-1, the Red Sox tied the score in the seventh as Romine grounded a single to left and Billy Joe Robidoux doubled to left.