Rodriguez, Red Sox swipe spotlight from Hamilton

ARLINGTON — Eduardo Rodriguez threw 7 2 ⁄3 scoreless innings to become the youngest Red Sox starter to win in his major league debut on the road since 1967, and Boston beat the Rangers 5-1 to spoil Josh Hamilton’s first home game back in Texas on Thursday night. Rodriguez, 22, was the youngest Red Sox pitcher to make his MLB debut on the road since Roger Clemens, 21, in 1985. Rodriguez (1-0) struck out seven and walked two. Hamilton was 2-for-4, lining a double into the right-field corner on the first pitch he saw from Rodriguez in the second. He added an RBI single in the ninth.

“It’ll be a game I’ll remember forever,” said Hamilton, who got an ovation when he came to bat for the first time. “It just makes you feel good, I hope the fans know that I’m giving them everything I’ve got being back, just like I did when I was here before.”

ORIOLES SPLIT WITH WHITE SOX: The Chicago White Sox were a weary bunch after playing 18 innings during a one-day stop in Baltimore. Chris Sale struck out 12 over 7 2 ⁄3 shutout innings to lead Chicago to a 3-2 victory in Thursday’s Game 1 against the Orioles, who rebounded to win the second game 6-3 in a doubleheader caused by rioting in Baltimore last month. The doubleheader was scheduled after games April 27-28 were postponed because of violence and looting near Camden Yards. The White Sox came from Toronto for the doubleheader and departed for a trip to Houston after the game. Sale (4-2) dominated the Orioles in the opener, setting a season high in strikeouts.