Sox 2, Rangers 1

Josh Beckett went seven innings in his Sox debut, and Trot Nixon homered to power the Sox past the Rangers Wednesday night.

Beckett struck out five and walked one to earn the win, topping a fine outing by Texas' Kameron Loe, whose only mistake was the home run ball he threw to Nixon. But Beckett struggled early, giving up a first-inning run before settling down and retiring 12 of the last 13 hitters he faced.

Jon Papelbon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two, for his first save, which means, barring injury, we're unlikely to see Keith Foulke in many save opportunities this season. Foulke was shaky in his only appearance this season, hit hard Monday but giving up only one run.

Coco Crisp continues to impress. He tripled in the sixth and is hitting .357 with a stolen base and four runs scored in the early going. Mark Loretta added two hits in a game when the the entire lineup managed only six.