Sox edge Rangers

Four-run eighth lifts Boston to 6-5 victory over Texas

Red Sox 6, Rangers 5

MLB. The Red Sox have apparently adopted the motto “better late than never.”

For the second straight game, the Red Sox came from behind in their final at-bat, this time picking up a 6-5 win over the Rangers yesterday at Fenway to improve to a season-best six games over .500.

Down 5-2 in the eighth,  rookie Jed Lowrie hit an RBI double, and scored from second when David Ortiz connected for an infield hit on a ball to short right. Pinch-hitter Dustin Pedroia’s RBI double tied the game at five.

After Kevin Youkilis was intentionally walked, J.D. Drew walked and then Texas closer C.J. Wilson was wild on a 3-2 pitch to Sean Casey, forcing in the go-ahead run.

After Manny Ramirez was thrown out in the second inning for arguing a called third strike, the Boston lineup was juggled. Joe Thurston filled in admirably in left, but Sox manager Terry Francona wanted a more reliable hitter and with Jason Varitek under the weather and Ramirez already out, Francona had to get creative. He turned to Pedroia, who was getting a break from the lineup.

“It was a game-changer,” Francona said of Pedroia’s big hit. “We told him even before, ‘Wilson’s going to get into this game and you’re going to hit off him somewhere.’

“The situation arose and we didn’t have a lot of flexibility, obviously. We’re sending [Julio] Lugo to left field, guys are sick, we were pushing it and didn’t have a whole lot to do, but the guys kept playing.”

The late-inning dramatics made a winner of Tim Wakefield (2-0), who allowed seven hits and five runs over eight, walking none while striking out five and lasting long enough for the win.

Ian Kinsler (solo homer) and Milton Bradley (three-run homer) delivered the big blasts for Texas.

Wilson faced five batters in the eighth, and could not record an out as the Rangers bullpen failed for the second straight game.

Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save and his second in as many nights.