Hamilton's Homers Help Rangers To 7-4 Win Over Red Sox

Josh Hamilton homered in his first two at-bats, his first homers since he belatedly began his major league season this week back with Texas, helping the Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4 on Friday night.

Hamilton pulled both homers into the seats in right field off knuckleballer Steven Wright (2-2). The homers came in the second and fourth innings, on pitches measured at 74 and 66 mph. Wright uncorked a third-inning wild pitch to score a run.

Rangers right-hander Yovani Gallardo (5-6) limited the Red Sox to one earned run and four hits through six innings. Shawn Tolleson, who became Texas' primary closer last week, recorded his sixth consecutive save.

Robinson Chirinos went 2 for 4 for Texas with a two-run double in the eighth inning.

Boston's Hanley Ramirez homered for the second time in two games, his 12th of the year, after not hitting one since April 29.

The Rangers' Prince Fielder went 2 for 4 to raise his American League-leading batting average to .364.

Texas shortstop Hanser Alberto, making his major league debut, recorded his first hit, RBI and run in the seventh inning.

It was Hamilton's ninth career multi-homer game. He was activated Monday with the Rangers in Cleveland and went hitless in his first nine at-bats. Since then, he is 5 for 12 with two multi-hit games.

Hamilton enjoyed five standout seasons with the Rangers from 2008-12, which included being named AL MVP in 2010. He left Texas as a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Angels but struggled through two seasons in Anaheim.

Hamilton began this season on the disabled list following shoulder surgery in February and also admitted to a substance-abuse relapse during the offseason. In mid-April, Angels owner Arte Moreno said he couldn't guarantee Hamilton would ever play again for his team. Hamilton was traded back to the Rangers on April 27.

Boston's David Ortiz, hitting .216 this season and .200 this month, sat out for the second straight game.

Boston manager John Farrell and first baseman Mike Napoli were ejected in the eighth inning soon after Napoli struck out looking.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts returned to the lineup after leaving Thursday's game in the second inning after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist. He went 0 for 3 and had a sacrifice fly.

Rangers: LHP Ross Detwiler (left shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to pitch two rehab innings Saturday for Double-A Frisco. After going 0-5 in seven starts, Detwiler will move to the bullpen when he comes off the DL next week.

UP NEXT

Boston: LHP Wade Miley (4-4) is on a three-game winning streak after allowing only one run in eight innings last Sunday at home against the Angels. Miley did lose a milking contest before Friday's game to Texas RHP Ross Ohlendorf.

Rangers: RHP Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez is scheduled to make his major league debut, his contract being purchased Saturday from Triple-A Round Rock. The 23-year-old is 3-5 with a 4.15 ERA in eight starts for Round Rock. He was Texas' first-round draft pick, 23rd overall, in 2013, and was named the organization's minor league pitcher of the year last season.