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GAME LOG
BOSTON (AP) -- Despite a communication gap, Boston right-hander
Tomo Ohka can read baseball's sign language.
Ohka had his second consecutive strong outing, allowing just one
run in seven innings as the Red Sox defeated the Texas Rangers 6-4
Friday night.
|  | | Tomo Ohka went seven innings, and gave up just one run on four hits. |
"I tried to pitch what the catcher called," Ohka said through
a Japanese journalist. "I just tried to follow him."
Ohka (2-2) allowed one run and four hits. He gave up Rusty
Greer's run-scoring double in the third before retiring his final 14
batters.
In his last start, a 4-2 victory at Texas on Sunday, Ohka gave up
two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. That was his first victory as
a starter, and just the second of his career.
"It's the universal language," Boston pitching coach Joe
Kerrigan said of Ohka and catcher Jason Varitek. "I think he's
more relaxed, more comfortable on the mound."
Ohka, 24, from Kyoto, Japan, struggled in four games with the
Red Sox last season, going 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA.
"He pitched a real strong game for us," Boston manager Jimy
Williams said. "He utilized his breaking ball, too, and changed
speeds. The big key is he made them hit the ball."
Troy O'Leary hit a two-run triple that capped a four-run first
inning as the Red Sox moved to a game of Oakland in the American League's
wild-card race.
Carl Everett had a season-high four hits, getting four singles
in five at-bats. Boston has won seven of nine, while Texas has lost
eight of 11.
The Rangers made three errors and misplayed two other balls in a
dismal defensive effort.
"This is one night that was very ugly for us as a team,"
losing pitcher Kenny Rogers said.
Unlike their first three victories on the 10-game homestand, the Red
Sox didn't have to come from behind. Boston won in its last at-bat
Monday against Tampa Bay and Thursday against Texas.
Ricky Ledee had a one-out run-scoring double in the ninth off Rheal
Cormier and Derek Lowe relieved. He gave up a two-run double to
Mike Lamb, then struck out Bill Haselman and Royce Clayton for his
28th save in 33 chances.
Rogers (11-11) gave up six runs -- three earned -- and 11 hits in
his second complete game of the season.
After scoring a total of one run though the fifth inning during
its previous four games, Boston went ahead right away when Jose
Offerman walked, Darren Lewis singled and Everett hit a run-scoring single.
Lewis advanced to third on Nomar Garciaparra's grounder and
scored on Varitek's grounder.
Varitek reached on the play when second baseman Luis Alicea
looked to second, attempting to force Garciaparra, but held the
ball too long before throwing to first and was charged with an
error. O'Leary then tripled down the right-field line.
That was more than enough for Ohka.
"He made some good pitches, but when you're struggling ...,"
Texas manager Johnny Oates said.
A horrible defensive third inning by Texas led to two more runs.
Everett singled when Scott Sheldon, who replaced Alicea to start
the inning, dropped a popup on an attempted over-the-shoulder grab.
Garciaparra reached on Lamb's throwing error from third and, two
outs later, Sheldon got twisted around as Lou Merloni's pop fell
for a run-scoring single. Bernard Gilkey followed with a run-scoring
single for a 6-1 lead.
Game notes
Alicea left with tightness in his left quadriceps after
legging out a double in the third. He's day-to-day. ... Garciaparra
had an infield hit in four at-bats, but is 2-for-16, matching his
worst stretch since opening the season 2-for-16. It's dropped his
average from .384 to .373. ... O'Leary made a nice catch in foul
territory against the railing in the fourth. ... Greer's double was
his fourth in six at-bats; he had three Thursday. ... It was a
matchup of two pitchers who have thrown perfect games, albeit one
being in the minors. Rogers pitched one for Texas against the
Angels on July 28, 1994. Ohka had one June 1 for Pawtucket against
Charlotte, only the third in the 117-year history of the
International League. ... The game was played in a light rain from
the second inning on.
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Baseball Scoreboard
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Boston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 6
Texas 4
Cleveland 9
Seattle 8
Detroit 10
Oakland 1
Anaheim 9
NY Yankees 8
Toronto 3
Minnesota 2
Kansas City 4
Baltimore 1
Chi. White Sox 5
Tampa Bay 2
Pittsburgh 6
Cincinnati 3
Houston 5
Milwaukee 4
St. Louis 7
Philadelphia 6
Florida 9
Colorado 8
Arizona 11
Chicago Cubs 2
Montreal 6
San Diego 3
NY Mets 5
Los Angeles 3
San Francisco 2
Atlanta 0
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Jimy Williams likes the way his pitchers are getting ahead in the count.
wav: 144 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Jason Varitek talks about Tomo Ohka's performance on Friday.
wav: 141 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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