Published: July 22, 2009 11:19 pm      

Nippert on spot for Rangers, who sweep Red Sox

ARLINGTON (AP) — Dustin Nippert allowed one run while pitching into the sixth inning of a spot start for flu-ridden Vicente Padilla, and the Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the slumping Boston Red Sox, 3-1 on Wednesday night.

David Murphy shook off flu-like symptoms with two hits and scored on a squeeze bunt by the Rangers, who swept a series against Boston for the first time since 2004.

The Red Sox have lost a season-high five straight, a streak that has knocked them out of first place in the AL East.

Nippert (2-0) threw 94 pitches — about 25 more than manager Ron Washington had hoped for — and was done after striking out J.D. Drew for the second out in the sixth. Doug Mathis pitched the final 3 1-3 innings for his first career save.

Clay Buchholz (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits over four innings. The right-hander started in place of All-Star knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who was put on the disabled list Tuesday with a lower back problem.

During a team meeting Wednesday, trainer Jamie Reed talked to the players about flu prevention, telling them to have minimal personal contact. Washington even joked that they had to “stay away from hugging and kissing.”

Then in the seventh, Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz made a running inning-ending catch in the gap. He made slight contact with center fielder Josh Hamilton, and the two were entwined in a hug and virtually face-to-face smiling when Cruz held up the ball to show he had caught Dustin Pedroia’s flyball.

Nippert struck out five and walked two in his third start of the season. He had been moved to the bullpen after going only 3 2-3 innings in both of his previous starts.

Boston led 1-0 when Nick Green ended a 1-for-17 skid with a leadoff homer in the third. Ian Kinsler led off the bottom of the third with a tying homer.

Cruz and Murphy had consecutive singles to start the fourth, Murphy going to second on Boston’s failed attempt to get Cruz out at third. Taylor Teagarden then had an infield chopper that scored Cruz and Murphy came home on rookie Elvis Andrus’ squeeze bunt.

Murphy was running from third when Buchholz released the pitch, and Andrus put the bunt down.

Texas has won five of six against Boston, already claiming the season series with three games left at Texas next month.

The Rangers claimed the series only once in the past nine seasons. ... LaRoche will join the Red Sox by Friday for the start of their next series, at home against Baltimore. Duncan, who had been optioned by St. Louis to Triple-A Memphis after Tuesday’s game, will go to Boston’s top affiliate, Pawtucket. ... The Rangers had six stolen bases, one shy of a club record and their most since six at Seattle on Sept. 28, 2000.