BOSTON — Terry Francona watched Boston's 10-run lead disappear and was searching for a new strategy as the numbers on the scoreboard started to resemble a football game.

"At some point," the Red Sox manager said, "you're thinking about going for a field goal."

That's the type of night it was — it was hard for anyone to keep track of anything.

In one of the wildest games of the season, Youkilis' go-ahead homer sent Boston to a 19-17 win after the Texas Rangers fought back from a 10-run first inning last night that included a pair of three-run homers by David Ortiz.

Youkilis drove a three-run shot over Fenway Park's Green Monster in the eighth inning for his second homer of a dizzying night, bringing fans to their feet as he circled the bases with uncharacteristic speed.

"I also felt the emotion of the boos today," after two strikeouts, he said. "So the roller coaster ride in Boston's always fun. Luckily, we got the cheers at the end."

The combined 36 runs tied the AL record set June 29, 1950, when the Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Athletics, 22-14. The teams totaled 37 hits.

The 19 runs were the most scored by the Red Sox this season and ruined a Rangers comeback that matched the greatest ever against Boston. The Red Sox also squandered a 10-run lead June 4, 1989, against Toronto when they lost, 13-11 in 12 innings, after they led 10-0 through six.

"After that first inning when they had us down 10-0, I think everybody in the ballpark and everybody in all of Massachusetts thought that the game was over," said Rangers manager Ron Washington, whose team had 20 hits for the second straight game.

Texas' Marlon Byrd and Boston's Dustin Pedroia had five hits each. Ortiz had six RBIs and Youkilis had five. Ian Kinsler and Chris Davis had four RBIs apiece for Texas. And Rangers starter Scott Feldman became the first major league pitcher to allow 12 runs and not take the loss since Gene Packard of the St. Louis Cardinals got the win in a 16-12 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 3, 1918.

Yankees 9, Twins 6: Alex Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking homer in the 12th inning and visiting New York overcame Mariano Rivera's first blown save of the season. Xavier Nady added a two-run shot in the 12th, also off Matt Guerrier (6-6), to help New York end a four-game skid. Rivera was off to a career-best 28 for 28 start to the season on save chances.

White Sox 9, Royals 0: Javier Vazquez threw eight scoreless innings and Jermaine Dye hit a two-run homer to lead host Chicago. Vazquez (9-10) matched his season-high with 10 strikeouts, gave up five hits and walked one.

Blue Jays 6, Tigers 4: Vernon Wells' two-out, two-run double capped a four-run seventh to lift visiting Toronto. Adam Lind had three hits, including a homer, and drove in two runs for Toronto. Gary Sheffield hit two home runs and Magglio Ordonez added one for Detroit.

Indians 7, Orioles 5: Asdrubal Cabrera hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth and host Cleveland won its fifth straight. Rafael Perez (2-2) struck out two in 1 2/3 innings and Jensen Lewis pitched a perfect ninth.

Athletics 2, Rays 1: Bobby Crosby hit a two-run home run and Gio Gonzalez got his first major league win, helping host Oakland beat Tampa Bay. Gonzalez (1-1) pitched out of a couple of jams in five-plus innings in his second career start. He allowed five hits and one run.

Angels 7, Mariners 3: Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera homered to help host Los Angeles beat Seattle. Jon Garland (11-7) allowed three runs in seven innings for the Angels, who have won five straight.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets 4, Nationals 3: New York snapped an eighth-inning tie when Damion Easley was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and the beleaguered bullpen finally saved one for Johan Santana (10-7) in a victory over host Washington. Easley was hit by Saul Rivera (3-5) to make it 4-3, and a shaky relief corps that has struggled badly without injured closer Billy Wagner held the lead. Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano each worked a scoreless inning.

Astros 12, Giants 4: Lance Berkman hit a grand slam in an eight-run seventh inning after San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum left the game with an injured knee and host Houston won its sixth straight. Lincecum allowed one hit and struck out seven before he was hit in the right knee by Brad Ausmus' line drive in the fifth.

Reds 5, Pirates 1: Edinson Volquez pitched into the seventh inning to snap a post All-Star break slump for visiting Cincinnati in its first game since trading Adam Dunn. Volquez (14-5) allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He entered 1-2 with a 6.64 ERA in four starts since the break.

Brewers 5, Padres 2: Prince Fielder hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and Jeff Suppan pitched eight strong innings to lead visiting Milwaukee to its seventh straight victory. Suppan (8-7) gave up four hits and two runs to win his third straight start.

Dodgers 4, Phillies 3: Andre Ethier singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth inning, and host Los Angeles beat Philadelphia. Russell Martin was hit by a pitch, went to second on James Loney's groundout to first, then scored when Ethier lined a 1-2 pitch off J.C. Romero (4-4) into the outfield.

Marlins 4, Cardinals 3: Hanley Ramirez hit a three-run homer and host Florida held St. Louis scoreless over the last eight innings. Chris Volstad (4-2) pitched five innings for the win in his sixth major league start. He gave up five hits and three walks.

Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 2: Randy Johnson pitched six solid innings and singled in a run, and Adam Dunn had a double in his Arizona debut. Dunn went 1 for 3 with a walk and Chad Tracy homered for visiting Arizona. Johnson (10-8) allowed two runs and five hits.

NOTES

Trade: The Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Paul Byrd from Cleveland yesterday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox will send either a player to be named or cash to the Indians. The 37-year-old Byrd is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA this season. But he has won all four of his starts since the All-Star break with a 1.24 ERA.

Dodgers: Los Angeles activated infielder Nomar Garciaparra (left knee) from the disabled list and placed center fielder Andruw Jones (left knee) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 10.