(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox hope to get a little closer in the AL East standings this evening when they continue their three-game series with Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Boston continued to dominate Rangers pitching on Friday, as Mike Lowell finished 3-for-5 with four runs batted in, and Josh Beckett threw five shutout innings to help the Red Sox to an 8-1 win.

Beckett (12-9), who along with Lowell, was activated from the 15-day disabled prior to the victory and picked up the win after giving up just four hits, while striking out seven in his first start since August 17. He was on the DL with right elbow inflammation

Lowell, meanwhile, was on the DL with a strained oblique but returned to homer and double as part of his productive night, helping Boston draw within 2 1/2 games of Tampa Bay for first in the AL East.

The Red Sox picked up a game, as the Rays lost to Toronto on Friday.

Coco Crisp had three hits, including a triple, and three RBI for Boston, which has won four straight overall and is 8-0 versus the Rangers this season, crossing the plate 75 times in those victories.

Nelson Cruz finished with one hit and an RBI for Texas, which had a brief two- game winning streak stopped. Kevin Millwood (9-8) was rocked for seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits in six frames to take the loss.

Texas outfielder Marlon Byrd left in the first inning with a sprained thumb, an injury he sustained while trying to make a diving catch. He is questionable for tonight's tilt.

Getting the call for the Red Sox this evening will be veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who is 8-9 with a 3.76 ERA. Wakefield was tagged with the loss on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, who reached him for three runs and six hits in six innings.

Tonight will be a bit of a milestone for the 42-year-old right-hander, as he will be making his 500th appearance with the Red Sox. Bob Stanley (637) is the only Boston pitcher with more games under his belt.

Wakefield defeated the Rangers the last three times he has faced them and is 10-14 lifetime against them with four saves and a 5.66 ERA in 32 games, 25 of which have been starts.

Texas will counter with rookie left-hander Matt Harrison, who is 6-3 with a 5.73 ERA. Harrison did not factor in the decision of his team's 12-6 loss on Monday to the Seattle Mariners, as he allowed five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

He has never faced the Red Sox.

Texas, which has lost nine straight in the series, is 2-14 over its last 16 meetings with Boston, which swept a three-game set in its most recent visit to Arlington from May 25-27, 2007.