Just two nights ago, Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez was dominant in his major league debut from the mound, striking out seven in 7.2 innings of scoreless ball in a 5-1 Boston win to kick off the four-game set in Arlington.
However, Rodriguez' performance may have been eclipsed by another young gun making his first starting appearance on a major league mound.
In his first showing with the big league club, Rangers pitcher Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez (1-0) no-hit the futile Red Sox throughout the first five innings, setting aside a plethora of wayward batters en route to a sensational outing. He finished with 5.2 innings of two-hit ball, fighting his way through a five-walk performance to shut out the struggling Sox.
The 23-year old received a wealth of run support, as well. Texas roughed up Boston left-hander Wade Miley (4-5) through 4+ innings of shoddy work, touching him for six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks, all of which came before the Red Sox even mustered a single base knock.
The Rangers revved up their offensive attack immediately at the outset of the contest. Left fielder Delino DeShields led off the bottom of the first inning, and shortstop Elvis Andrus followed suit with a liner down past the glove of third baseman Pablo Sandoval, scoring DeShields on a double to give Texas the go-ahead advantage.
Miley was able to suppress the Rangers in the second and third innings, but would implode in the fourth, allowing four runs. After a Josh Hamilton walk and singles by first baseman Adam Rosales and center fielder Leonys Martin loaded the bases with one out, catcher Robinson Chorinos broke the game open with a two-run double over the head of right fielder Rusney Castillo.