The Red Sox once again put on a hitting clinic in Texas on Wednesday, knocking 16 hits and scoring 13 runs as Josh Beckett was sharp once again.  With the win, the Red Sox were able to stay a full game up on the Yankees, who also won at home against Oakland.  With David Ortiz getting back into the lineup, it was Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford that mostly carried the way, each belting a homer and putting up big offensive days.  Jacoby Ellsbury, as per usual, also got into the mix, smashing his 23rd homer of the season and also swiping his 35th base.  Though both Adrian Gonzalez and New York’s Curtis Granderson will demand plenty of MVP talk, so will Ellsbury, who has been the most valuable leadoff hitter in the league this year.

On the mound, the Sox got another very strong outing from Beckett, who went 6 innings while letting up just one run.  The win got Beckett his 11th of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.43 on the season.  Though Beckett won’t have the type of numbers at the end of the season to compete against Jared Weaver and Justin Verlander, he’s been Boston’s most consistent starter from day one this year and is having one of the best seasons in his career.  The Red Sox will wrap up their series tonight against the Rangers and then will head to Oakland to take on the A’s for a three-game weekend set.

To get Boston Red Sox tickets, go to StubHub.