Mike Aviles singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as visiting Boston snapped a four-game slide and earned a rare victory at Texas.

Kelly Shoppach added an RBI double and Alfredo Aceves picked up his 21st save in 25 chances for the Red Sox, who improved to 5-12 in their last 17 games in Arlington.

Texas closer Joe Nathan (1-3) came into a tie game in the ninth and got two quick outs before walking Daniel Nava and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Aviles worked the count to 3-2 and reached out for a slider, sending a soft line drive just over the leap of Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus to score Nava and grab the lead.

Boston struck first, pushing a run across in the fourth inning against Rangers rookie starter Martin Perez. Cody Ross drew a leadoff walk and looked like he would be stranded until Shoppach came up with two outs and drove a 3-1 pitch the opposite way, where it glanced off right fielder Daniel Murphy’s glove for an RBI double.

Texas got that run back in the sixth, when Andrus doubled off Clay Buchholz, moved to third on a wild pitch and came across on Josh Hamilton's groundout. It marked the league-leading 81st RBI for Hamilton.

Perez, who was recalled to fill in for the injured Colby Lewis, ended up allowing one run and five hits in six innings.

Buchholz lasted seven frames, surrendering one run and four hits while walking three and striking out one. Vicente Padilla (4-0) tossed a scoreless frame for the win.

- - - - - - - -

NOTES: Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler was thrown out of the game in the first inning by first base umpire Mike Muchlinski after arguing an out call on a pickoff play. ... Texas 3B Adrian Beltre was removed from the game in the eighth inning after getting hit in the helmet with a fastball from Padilla. ... LF Carl Crawford was dropped from No. 2 to No. 7 in the Boston batting order after going 0-for-8 in the previous two games. He went 0-for-3 on Tuesday. ... Nathan had issued a total of five walks in 38 1/3 innings coming into the contest.

Lillibridge sent to Indians

Brent Lillibridge’s brief Red Sox career is over.

A week after being designated for assignment, the utilityman has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for minor league reliever Jose De La Torre, a 26-year-old right-hander who was 7-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 27 appearances for Double-A Akron. De La Torre also was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA for Triple-A Columbus. The Red Sox have assigned him to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Lillibridge, acquired as part of the deal that sent Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox, went 2-for-16 with five strikeouts with the Red Sox.

Lester still in rotation

For now, at least, the Red Sox decided to allow Jon Lester to make his start Saturday in New York.

After being tagged for 11 runs in four innings in one of the most dismal starts in Sox history, Lester is 5-8 with a 5.46 ERA, the fourth-worst mark among AL pitchers who qualify for the ERA title.

In his last three starts, Lester allowed 21 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings. His ERA in 12 starts at Fenway is 7.39. And Lester’s next start will be against the homer-happy Yankees.

“He’s going to start Saturday,” Sox manager Bobby Valentine said last night after meeting with Lester earlier in the day.

Injury update

Before Wednesday night’s game, right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will throw his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list with a strained muscle near his right shoulder.

Also, closer Andrew Bailey will pitch live batting practice, the next step in his return from right thumb surgery in April.

The Boston Herald contributed to this report.