The Red Sox faced another tough lefty starter but this time they had no ninth-inning magic. C.J. Wilson fanned a career-best 10 batters and the Rangers scratched out eight hits and three runs off Jon Lester as the Rangers beat the Red Sox, 4-2, at Fenway Park to take three-of-four from Boston in the weekend series.

The Red Sox must now find a way to regroup as they face the daunting task of playing 10 straight against A.L. West foes Oakland [3], Seattle [4] and Los Angeles [3].

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE RED SOX

- The game was played on a sunny day at Fenway, with day being the operative word. The team has played 24 day games in 2010, winning just nine of them. The glare seems to bother these Red Sox, especially when they’re facing a tough lefty like they did on Sunday. Wilson struck out a career-high 10, including David Ortiz twice. It’s no disgrace as Wilson has now faced left-handed batters 97 times this season, allowing nine hits and striking out 26.

Wilson allowed only three hits in allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings. He biggest inning came in the sixth when he allowed a leadoff double by Marco Scutaro. But Darnell McDonald grounded out, David Ortiz flew out to left. And following a walk to Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Beltre whiffed on a 2-2 pitch.

“Obviously, a leadoff double isn’t like a fun thing to pitch around,” Wilson said. “Today was just good day for me, I guess.”

- The offense, for the fourth straight game, could not sustain any prolonged attack. One reason, they simply blew chance after chance when given a free pass to first, six to be exact on the day. WEEI.com’s Gary Marbry reports that Red Sox had won 20 straight at Fenway when they receive at least six walks. Ironically, their last such loss: June 5, 2009 vs Texas.

“I walked just enough guys for them to swing, I guess,” said Wilson, who was responsible for five of the six free passes.

- Gary Darling in the 8th. Bang-bang call at the plate when Darnell McDonald‘s throw clearly beat Elvis Andrus. But Darling ruled that Kevin Cash, out to cut off the angle on the throw home, tagged Andrus on the elbow while sliding safely in with his left foot. It was a pivotal call because it put the Rangers up three, and after Saturday night, insurance proved invaluable for the Rangers. Darling would be reminded of the call for the rest of the game as the crowd booed him on nearly every pitch.

- The Red Sox couldn’t defend the double steal. With Julio Borbon on third and Andrus on first in the fifth, Andrus took off for second. Dusty Brown, starting his first big league game behind the plate, threw down to second with Marco Scutaro covering. Scutaro’s angle to the ball was too close to the bag and Borbon took off and slide home safely with the Rangers’ first steal of home in nine seasons.

- The Red Sox allowed a Little League home run. With a scorching liner to left-center, Nelson Cruz doubled home Josh Hamilton in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the play didn’t end there. Mike Cameron‘s throw missed the cut-off man and sailed to Dusty Brown at the plate. Upon seeing that, Brown threw accurately to third to Adrian Beltre as he saw Cruz taking off when the throw went home. It would’ve been close but Beltre allowed the ball to escape far enough for Cruz to take a shot at going home, which he did safely to complete the round trip.

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR THE RED SOX

- Jon Lester was Jon Lester again. Before flipping his gum in disgust after the eighth inning in the vague direction of home plate umpire Gary Darling, he put up eight innings, allowing four runs and nine hits. He threw 118 pitches, 75 for strikes. He allowed three walks while striking out six. He showed grit and guts despite taking just his fourth loss in 15 decisions.

- Michael Bowden. The right-hander, looking to continue an impressive run from Pawtucket, had a perfect ninth with two strike outs and fly to left. It was his first appearance with the Red Sox this season and he showed no nerves as he looks for a permanent spot in the club’s bullpen.

- Kevin Youkilis over .300. Youk managed to get the average to .301 with two more hits and looks ready to continue the roll on the road. The Red Sox will need it.

- Mike Cameron belted a home run, his fourth, to open the ninth and start yet another ninth-inning rally. This one, however, would not end the way Saturday night’s did.