Byline: HOWARD ULMAN Associated Press
Red Sox 11
Rangers 6
BOSTON - Tony Graffanino was the surprising star when the two highest-scoring teams in baseball met Monday night.
Graffanino, in his 14th game since being obtained from Kansas City on July 19, hit a rare home run that broke a tie and sparked the Boston Red Sox to an 11-6 win over the Texas Rangers.
'This was a lot of fun,' said Graffanino, who hit his first homer with Boston and fourth of the season. 'I think it was a lot of fun for everybody, really, but I had a good time.'
Boston's second baseman contributed with his hitting, fielding and running. He went 3-for-3 with a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth, drove in four runs, helped turn two double plays and slid ahead of two tags at home on a wild pitch and an infield single. He even was walked intentionally.
'This guy came in and has really helped solidify not just second base, but our ballclub,' manager Terry Francona said. 'He gives us some aspects, like going first to third, taking an extra base.'
Jeremi Gonzalez (2-1) pitched 22/3 scoreless innings in relief of Wade Miller as Boston won for the 10th time in 12 games. Steve Karsay (0-1) allowed four runs in two innings in his second appearance for Texas.
David Ortiz hit his 26th homer, but Boston got unusual contributions from the bottom four spots in its lineup, which combined for nine of the team's 12 hits. Graffanino, batting eighth, is hitting .333 for Boston. Kevin Millar, batting sixth, No. 7 Roberto Petagine and No. 9 Alex Cora each had two hits.
Texas manager Buck Showalter wasn't surprised by Boston's offense, even though its best hitters didn't contribute a lot.
'Maybe with most lineups, but not with this one,' he said. 'They've got a lot of good hitters sitting there.'
Boston led 4-3 after one inning, which wasn't shocking since it leads the majors with 620 runs - six ahead of second-place Texas.
'Everybody kind of expects this series to be high-scoring,' Texas' Michael Young said. 'It's tough to play the Red Sox here because they score a ton of runs.'
Graffanino scored three runs and has made it unlikely that Mark Bellhorn, on the disabled list since July 18 with a sprained left thumb, will reclaim his position when he's healthy.
'I can't control any of that stuff,' said Graffanino, who came close to signing with the Red Sox before last season, when they won the World Series, but felt he'd have a better chance to play in Kansas City.
'Obviously, if I would have known about the year that was going to happen last year, it would have been a no-brainer.'
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MICHAEL DWYER/ASSOCIATED PRESS DAVID ORTIZ, right, celebrateshis two-run home run with Manny Ramirez (24) and Edgar Renteria.
