The Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis whoops it up as he rounds first base after drilling a three-run homer in the eighth inning. His blast gave Boston the lead, 19-16, and the eventual victory over the Rangers.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

BOSTON — It’s safe to say Charlie Zink will always remember his major-league debut.

In one of the wildest games to be played at Fenway Park in some time, Zink’s first start for the Red Sox quickly — and thankfully — became an afterthought as Boston finished with a 19-17 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Boston gave its rookie pitcher a 10-run lead only to see it dissipate into an abominable heap as the Rangers chipped away to take a 16-15 advantage after seven innings.

The Sox’ explosive offensive was rejuvenated in the bottom of the eighth inning when Dustin Pedroia’s RBI double knotted the game at 16-16. Then, after David Ortiz was walked intentionally, Kevin Youkilis crushed a three-run home run — his second homer of the game — to give Boston the lead once again.

“There have been some crazy games in Boston,” Youkilis said. “It was definitely interesting and we pulled it out in the end. It was big for us to get that win.”

With the game back within their grasp, the Sox handed the ball to closer Jonathan Papelbon, who recorded his 32nd save of the season.

“That was an interesting night,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “At some point you’re thinking about going for a field goal. There’s a lot to be said for playing the game and continuing to play because that had a chance to be a really frustrating night. In the end the music’s playing and we won. That’s what we set out to do, but that’s not how we drew it up.”

Even though Youkilis earned the spotlight with his offensive output on the night, Ortiz contributed three hits, including two three-run homers — both in the first inning — six RBI and four runs scored.

It certainly was an interesting night for Zink and the Red Sox.

“This will still be the best memory of my life,” he said, despite his struggles. “Hopefully there are more [games] to come, but if there’s not, this was still an amazing night.”

Zink lasted only 4 1/3 innings and allowed eight runs on 11 hits before he was pulled.

“I thought he handled his emotions really well,” said Francona. “He competed. He threw the ball over the plate for the most part. The fifth inning unraveled, but it unraveled on everybody.”

When Zink took the mound at 7:06 p.m., he was hoping to prove his numbers this season in Pawtucket — 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA along with 94 strikeouts in 152 1/3 innings of work — were no fluke and his knuckleball could be effective at the major-league level.

After Zink retired the side in order in the top of the first inning, his new teammates offered up their welcome in the form of 10 runs in the bottom of the inning.

The offensive onslaught was the most by the club since it scored 14 in a 25-8 victory over the Marlins at Fenway on June 27, 2003. Yesterday the Red Sox batted around on Rangers starter Scott Feldman with Ortiz leading the way. The Sox’ slugger became the first Boston player to hit a pair of homers in an inning since Nomar Garciaparra accomplished the feat on July 23, 2002, against Tampa Bay

Ortiz’s six RBI in the inning matched an American League record, which has been accomplished 11 times. He became the third Red Sox player to drive in six runs in one inning. Former Red Sox’ Carlos Quintana did it in 1991 and Tom McBride also drove in six in 1945.

With such a large lead to start the game, it appeared that Zink and the Red Sox were in control.

That wasn’t the case.

Texas scored two runs off Zink in the top of the second inning before Boston pushed across two in the bottom of the third for a 12-2 advantage.

Things were moving along smoothly until the top of the fifth inning.

The Rangers blasted Zink for six runs on six hits in that inning, and relievers Javier Lopez and David Aardsma surrendered three runs as Texas quickly narrowed its deficit to two runs, 12-10.

Boston responded in the home half of the inning, when Ortiz narrowly missed his third home run of the game when a fan reached over the center-field wall and pulled the ball into the stands, making it a double. Youkilis followed and crushed a two-run homer to give Boston a 14-10 advantage.

The Rangers came back to score five runs in the sixth and took their first lead of the night as Boston’s bullpen collapsed. . Texas added another run in the seventh on Marlon Byrd’s fifth hit of the night, an RBI single, for a career-high in a game as the Rangers gained a 16-14 lead.

The Sox inched closer with an unearned run in the bottom of the inning before they regained the lead in the eighth thanks to an RBI double by Pedroia and a three-run homer by Youkilis.

What started out as a good night for Zink quickly turned sour, but the Red Sox found victory in the end.

“We’re really happy for him,” said Red Sox GM Theo Epstein before the game. “He’s earned this. He’s had a long path to the big leagues and nothing has been handed to him. He’s gone out this year and has been consistently good for Pawtucket. We’ve been looking for a way to get him up here, and with Wake on the DL, this seems like the perfect time. I’m sure this won’t be his last start as a member of the Red Sox, but there are no promises [on] how he fits into this club beyond tonight.”

It remains to be seen how long Zink will last in Boston. One thing is for certain, however; he will no doubt remember his debut.

mcdonal@projo.com