Boston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2012 ) Boston 1, Texas 9

All the Texas Rangers needed to get back on track was a visit from the Boston Red Sox. The Rangers, who had been stumbling a bit since the All-Star break, have always been strong against the Red Sox and proved it again with a 9-1 victory in Monday’s series opener. Boston has lost four in a row to fall back below .500 at 48-49 and has serious questions about a starting rotation that has been pounded lately.

Texas had its lead in the American League West slip to five games after dropping two of three to the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend. The rotation took a hit on Monday when it was announced that right-hander Colby Lewis would miss the rest of the season. But the Rangers began a 10-game homestand Monday that will take them through the trade deadline where they hope to extend the lead. The Red Sox have seen Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Aaron Cook and Felix Doubront each get knocked around and will turn to Clay Buchholz on Tuesday to stop the bleeding.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSSW (Texas), MLBN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (8-3, 5.19 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-1, 5.54)

Buchholz was dominant in his last start, allowing one run and six hits in eight innings while striking out six in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander has surrendered two runs or less in five of his last seven turns and has been strong in two starts since coming off the disabled list. The Rangers have been a tough matchup in the past, as Buchholz is just 1-3 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts against Texas.

Perez will get the first chance to stick in Lewis’ spot. The 21-year-old left-hander is the Rangers’ top pitching prospect and made four appearances - two starts - for the club from June 27-July 14. Perez went 5-5 with a 4.59 ERA in 16 games at Triple-A Round Rock this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lewis will have surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. He was 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA.

2. Texas 1B Mitch Moreland (hamstring) began a rehab assignment at Round Rock on Monday and went 1-for-3.

3. The Red Sox are reportedly interested in Miami Marlins RHP Josh Johnson.