Red Sox 17, Rangers 5: Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his first major-league home run and David Ortiz drove in three runs as Boston crushed visiting Texas in the opener of a three-game series.

Mike Carp, Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia each hit a solo home run and combined for seven RBIs while Daniel Nava scored four times for the Red Sox, who have won three straight. Ryan Dempster (3-6) allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings to snap a five-start winless streak.

Boston has had its way with rookie starters this season and Rangers right-hander Justin Grimm (5-4) was no exception, getting knocked around for eight runs on seven hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. Ortiz got it started with an RBI double in the first and Bradley ripped a two-run homer over the bullpen in right-center in the second before Ortiz legged out a rare triple that scored two more in the six-run frame.

Drew and Carp each found the bullpens in right-center field in the fourth and fifth, respectively, and Saltalamacchia became the third Red Sox batter in as many innings to lead off the frame with a home run when he sent a blast to left-center in the sixth. That ignited a four-run rally as Boston took advantage of Texas’ bullpen and some poor defense to pad the score.

Nelson Cruz appeared to hurt his right arm falling into the bullpen in an effort to grab Carp’s blast but came back to hit a solo home run in the sixth. Jeff Baker and Mitch Moreland each added two-run homers for Texas, which resorted to using outfielder David Murphy on the mound in the eighth inning.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury (groin) sat out his fourth straight game but could return to the lineup on Wednesday. … Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) was held out of the lineup. He expects to play Wednesday. … The Texas pitching staff had not allowed double-digit runs in a game this season and had not allowed more than five in a contest since a 9-2 loss to Oakland on May 20. The Rangers entered the night leading the American League with a 3.38 team ERA. Murphy was the only Texas pitcher to work a complete inning without allowing an earned run.