Youk' Field Goal Edges Rangers 19-17

August 12, 2008. BOSTON, MA - Terry Francona watched Boston's 10-run lead disappear and was searching for a new strategy as the numbers on the scoreboard started to resemble a football game. "At some point," the Red Sox manager said, "you're thinking about going for a field goal." That's the type of night it was -- it was hard for anyone to keep track of anything.

In one of the wildest games of the season, Youkilis' go-ahead homer sent Boston to a 19-17 win after the Texas Rangers fought back from a 10-run first inning Tuesday night that included a pair of three-run homers by David Ortiz.

Youkilis drove a three-run shot over Fenway Park's Green Monster in the eighth inning for his second homer of a dizzying night, bringing fans to their feet as he circled the bases with uncharacteristic speed. "I also felt the emotion of the boos today," after two strikeouts, he said. "So the roller coaster ride in Boston's always fun. Luckily, we got the cheers at the end."
The combined 36 runs tied in AL record set on June 29, 1950, when the Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Athletics 22-14. The teams totaled 37 hits.

The 19 runs were the most scored by the Red Sox this season and ruined a Rangers comeback that matched the greatest ever against Boston. The Red Sox also squandered a 10-run lead on June 4, 1989, against Toronto when they lost 13-11 in 12 innings after they led 10-0 through six.

Hideki Okajima (3-2) got the win in a game that lasted 3 hours, 58 minutes. The Rangers, who lead the majors in batting average, put on another hitting display after their 15-7 win over Baltimore on Sunday. "If they didn't quit tonight. I don't think they're ever going to quit," Washington said. Ortiz's first homer followed a leadoff walk to J.D. Drew and a single by Pedroia. His second came after RBI singles by Drew and Pedroia. The other runs in the first inning scored on Jed Lowrie's two-run double.

Charlie Zink made his major league debut for Boston, pitching in place of injured Tim Wakefield-- a fellow knuckleballer. Zink was lifted with one out in the fifth after giving up a run-scoring single to Josh Hamilton, an RBI double to Byrd and a two-run double to Frank Catalanotto.