PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) _ Gary Gaetti hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a game-winning single in the 11th Thursday, leading the Boston Red Sox over the Texas Rangers 8-6.

In his first at-bat of the spring, the 41-year-old Gaetti sent an inside fastball from Rick Helling over the wall in left for a 2-0 lead. Ten innings later, Gaetti singled to center off David Elder.

``I had a pretty good time today,'' Gaetti said. ``I just got some pitches I could drive.''

Gaetti, a non-roster invitee, is a longshot to make the team, but manager Jimy Williams liked what he saw from the 19-year veteran.

``Gary had some great at-bats. In all of his at-bats he hit the ball hard,'' Williams said.

Carl Everett and Trot Nixon also homered for the Red Sox.

Andy Hazlett pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Boston used 10 pitchers.

Rod Beck, who normally doesn't enter a game until the ninth inning, started for the Red Sox. He pitched just one inning, giving up one run and one hit.

Helling, threw 63 pitches in three innings, allowing three runs and three hits _ including home runs by Gaetti and Everett.