Despite allowing three runs or fewer in his franchise-record 16th strait outing, Nick Martinez suffered his first loss of the season as the Texas Rangers fell to the Boston Red Sox 5-1 at Globe Life Ballpark Thursday.

Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
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Red Sox rookie left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez out dueled Martinez ( 4-1, 2.03 ERA) who gave up two earned runs  on nine hits and two walks while striking out five in seven innings of work.

“Overall, I felt like Nick threw the ball well. He moved it around. He did the same things he has done in previous starts. We just didn't help him out (offensively)," said Ranger Manager Jeff Bannister.

Defensively the Rangers helped him out by turning three of the teams five double plays behind him.

Martinez allowed the Boston lead-off hitter to reach base four times in the first six innings. It finally cost him in the fifth inning.

Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart leadoff the inning with a single and then scored after  singles by Dustin Pedroria and Mookie Betts.

Hanley Ramirez continued Martinez’s woes by leading of the sixth inning with a solo homerun which gave Boston a 2-0 lead.

Martinez ended up with his 16th straight start of allowing three earned runs or fewer. That's the longest such streak in Rangers history, but this one came in a losing effort.

"It was just one of those days," Martinez said. "I've got to keep battling and keep working. I felt good, my tempo was just a little slow. I have to do a better job with the pace of game."

The only offense Texas could muster was a ninth-inning RBI single by Josh Hamilton, who was making his home re-debut for the Rangers,  driving in Adrian Beltre.

Hamilton , who finished 2-for-4 at the plate,  also hit a double down the right-field line on the first pitch he saw from Rodriguez.

The four-game series continues Friday at 7:10 pm Friday at Globe Life Park when the Rangers send  Yovani Gallardo (4-3, 4.13 ERA) to the mound to oppose the Red Sox Steven  Wright (2-1,  3.68).

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