MLB: Texas 8, Boston 4

BOSTON, July 17 (UPI) -- Bengie Molina hit for the cycle Friday and delivered the game's key blow with a grand slam homer, boosting the Texas Rangers to an 8-4 victory over Boston.

Molina, recently acquired from San Francisco to bolster a thin Texas catching corps, singled in the second, doubled in the fourth, hit his home run as part of a five-run fifth and legged out a triple to lead off the eighth.

The slow-footed Molina managed the triple when the ball bounced away from center fielder Eric Patterson after bouncing off the wall. Upon reaching third base out of breath, Molina was removed from the game with what was described as a tight quadriceps.

Texas had let a two-run lead get away and was trailing 3-2 when the Rangers loaded the bases with two out in the fifth. David Murphy drew a walk to force in the tying run before Molina hit a homer to center off reliever Fernando Cabrera.

Molina's cycle was the fifth in the history of the Rangers and he became the first catcher in the majors to produce one since Milwaukee's Chad Moeller did it in 2004. The triple was only the sixth of Molina's 13-year career.

Colby Lewis (9-5) gave up three runs on four hits over five innings and struck out seven to get the win.

Boston starter Felix Doubront (1-2) was charged with the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

The game was delayed by rain for 58 minutes in the third.