Editor’s note: The 2006 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
A five-run fourth inning proved to be the difference for the Texas Rangers as they opened the 2006 Tournament with a 10-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.
With the win, the Rangers advance to the second round as they head to New York to face the Yankees, who had a bye in the first round.
Trailing 4-0 heading into the top of the fateful frame, the Rangers had just a single in the fourth by Ian Kinsler off Red Sox starter Curt Schilling.
Gary Mathews began the rally with a single before Mark DeRosa struck out. Mark Teixeira followed with another single and then Schilling fanned Michael Young.
Hank Blalock‘s RBI single got the Rangers on the scoreboard to make it 4-1.
After an infield single by Carlos Lee that loaded the bases, Kinsler drilled a grand slam that gave Texas the lead for good.
Texas would added two more runs in the seventh as Rod Barajas had a long ball that ended the day for Schilling.
In the ninth, Lee had solo homer off Julian Tavarez before the Rangers picked up their final two runs on an error by the Red Sox and a sacrifice fly by Mathews.
Vicente Padilla went the distance for the Rangers on the mound to earn the victory as he allowed eight hits with eight strikeouts.
A three-run homer in the first inning by David Ortiz gave the Red Sox an early 3-0 advantage.
Trot Nixon‘s sacrifice fly in the second inning put the Red Sox up by four runs before the Rangers offense came to life.
2006 AL Tournament
First Round Pairings and Results
New York Yankees, bye
Texas Rangers 10, Boston Red Sox 4
Baltimore Orioles at Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays
Oakland Athletics, bye
2006 NL Tournament
First Round Pairings
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves
Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros
San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres