Red Sox Can’t Get to Rangers’ Helling

Rick Helling seems to have regained the form of his 20-7 season last year. It certainly didn’t hurt, though, when his teammates gave him a quick lead.

Helling posted his second strong start in three outings, pitching 6 1/3 innings Wednesday night as the Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox, 8-3.

“Does it surprise you?” Texas Manager Johnny Oates said. “That’s what he’s supposed to be. He’s doing what we expected. He had a couple of bad starts last year, but the only reason we’re remembering them [this year] is because they came at the beginning.”

Helling (3-3), who began the game with a 7.18 earned-run average in six starts, held Boston scoreless until Damon Buford’s run-scoring infield single in the sixth.

In his first two starts of the year, he was tagged for 13 runs in only 6 2/3 innings, losing each time. But two starts ago, he worked seven innings and gave up only two runs, starting his current string of three consecutive wins.

AROUND THE LEAGUE / Clayton Out 4 to 6 Weeks

Texas Ranger shortstop Royce Clayton is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks after an MRI revealed a torn muscle behind his right shoulder.

Clayton, acquired July 31 from the St. Louis Cardinals in five-player deal, was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, which it was thought the shoulder muscle was strained. An MRI by team physician John Conway revealed the tear.

Kelly Dransfeldt, recalled from Oklahoma City, is expected to replace Clayton in the lineup.

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Third baseman Wade Boggs of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays was put on the 15-day disabled list for only the second time in his 18-year career after suffering a strained left hamstring in a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals at St. Petersburg, Fla. Meanwhile, designated hitter Jose Canseco was listed as day to day after suffering a bruised right knee. . . . Jim Thome of the Cleveland Indians dropped his appeal and began serving his three-game suspension for charging the mound in a game last month against the Boston Red Sox. . . . Six former baseball players from Cuba who missed a flight carrying an all-star team back to the island returned home after assuring officials they were leaving the United States voluntarily, a government spokesman said. Meanwhile, pitching coach Rigoberto Herrera, who chose not to go back, was interviewed by immigration officials about his request for asylum.