Red Sox offense explodes in 12-1 win over Giants

The Boston Red Sox reclaimed solo possession of first place in the American League East, at least for a few hours.

Outfielders Shane Victorino and Jacoby Ellsbury had three his apiece as Boston’s bats exploded in a 12-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants Wednesday afternoon.

Felix Dubront pitched eight innings, giving up just five hits and two walks on 114 pitches to improve to 9-6 on the season. Closer Koji Uehara, who surprisingly did not pitch in Tuesday’s one-run Red Sox loss, pitched a one, two, three ninth inning. Jean Machi didn’t give up a run in 1.1 innings, but Mike Kickham, who pitched the next four innings, gave up six runs, five earned, on five hits and a walk.

Barry Zito lasted just 3.2 innings, giving up six earned runs on seven hits and two walks.

Will Middlebrooks smashed his 11th home run of the season and played both third and second base in the victory. He, along with Jonny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, each drove in two runs while Stephen Drew knocked in three. Rookie Xander Bogaerts was 0-1 and is now 0-4 in his two game MLB career.

The Red Sox will head south to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers in a three game set starting Friday while the Giants will welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates for a four game series starting Thursday night.