Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - David Ortiz launched a two-run homer and Jason Bay added a solo blast as Boston routed Texas, 7-2, in the finale of a three-game series.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Alex Cora and Coco Crisp each knocked in a run for the Red Sox, who have won five of six.

Coupled with Tampa's 1-0 loss in Toronto, Boston crept within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Rays in the AL East. The clubs begin a three-game set at Fenway starting Monday.

Paul Byrd (11-11) surrendered just three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win and even his record. Since coming over from Cleveland, the 37- year-old is 4-1 in five starts.

Taylor Teagarden homered and drove in both runs for the Rangers, who dropped two of three in the set.

Brandon McCarthy (1-1) was tagged for seven hits and six runs over 5 1/3 innings in defeat.

Cora's RBI triple and a run-scoring single from Crisp gave Boston a 2-0 lead in the second.

It was 4-0 for the visitors in the fifth as Crisp reached on a leadoff walk and scored on an Ortiz two-run shot.

Consecutive RBI singles from Ellsbury and Pedroia boosted Boston's edge to six in the sixth.

Bay's seventh-inning solo homer made it 7-0 for the visitors, and Texas did not counter until Teagarden hit a solo shot off Manny Delcarmen in the eighth.

Texas tacked on its other run in the ninth. Marlon Byrd worked a leadoff walk against Chris Smith, went to second on a Nelson Cruz single and scored when Teagarden ripped a single to left off Jonathan Papelbon.