BOSTON (AP) -- 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 Tuesday 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 in AL record set on 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 on 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.