The Red Sox scored two more runs in the first inning on Thursday night when Dustin Pedroia singled and Xander Bogaerts followed with a home run to left field.

If that sounds familiar, you’ve been paying attention. The Sox have scored 56 runs in the first inning, by far the most in the American League. Houston is second with 38 and the Astros have played one more game.

The Sox have scored in the first inning of 17 of their 35 games and that’s after not scoring in the first inning of the first five games of the season.

The Sox also have scored 10 more runs in the first inning than in any other inning this season.

“It’s kind of a strange thing,’’ third baseman Travis Shaw said. “We’ve had a good lineup this season but we really seem to hit in the first inning. I don’t have a good answer for that.’’

Manager John Farrell has a few theories. The Red Sox, he thinks, have benefited from extensive pregame preparation and the work done by hitting coach Chili Davis.

“The individual work routines have been very consistent,’’ Farrell said. “The conversations that Chili has leading into a given game on the opposing starter that night, we had a pretty good understanding what to expect from him and because of those factors we got on the board early.’’

The Red Sox also have benefited from having a static lineup.

“When guys are performing as they are, yeah, it’s been consistent, as has the performance,’’ Farrell said. “So you kind of just steer clear and let them go play.’’

Go and get it

Whenever a home run heads in the general direction of the Red Sox bullpen, Robbie Ross Jr. grabs his glove and gives chase.

The lefthander pursues home runs with great zeal, unafraid to dive or make a leaping catch.

“You have to have fun. Once you get so stressed out, that’s when you start pressing and grinding. You have to enjoy baseball,’’ Ross said. “This is my job, but at the same time if you don’t enjoy the game you better hang it up.’’

Ross was a pitcher and center fielder at Lexington (Ky.) Christian High and was recruited to play both positions by the University of Kentucky before he signed with the Texas Rangers out of high school.

“I love to play the outfield. If we ever need an outfielder, I’m the guy,’’ Ross said. “I was decent in high school, I could go get it. I was lighter then.’’

Adjustment coming

The Red Sox have carried an extra relief pitcher for all but three games since April 20. That could soon change.

With the bullpen no longer overworked, Farrell said the Sox could add a bench player before starting a three-game series in Kansas City on Monday. Lefthanded-hitting infielder Marco Hernandez is the likely choice.

“We’re at a point where we’re kind of going day by day,’’ Farrell said. “The goal will be to get back to four bench players.’’

Farrell wants the extra bench player so he can give some of the starters days off.

“I’d like to get the ability to rotate some guys through,’’ the manager said. “The more we can rotate guys and keep fresh, that would be the goal.’’

Decisions due

Joe Kelly will rejoin the Red Sox on Friday and meet with the coaches to determine the next step in his rehabilitation.

Kelly has been on the disabled list since April 20 because of a shoulder impingement. He has since made two starts for Pawtucket and allowed two runs on seven hits over eight innings with two walks and six strikeouts.

“He’ll go through a full workout and we’ll have a chance to sit down and talk with him at that point,’’ Farrell said.

It has not been decided if Kelly will make his next start with Pawtucket or return to the majors. Kelly could get one more start in the minors before the Sox reset their rotation next week.

Lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Pawtucket on Friday night at McCoy Stadium against Gwinnett. He will be making his fourth rehab start.

Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 5.28 ERA with the PawSox. The Red Sox will be looking for Rodriguez to show better velocity with his start.

Rocket landing

Roger Clemens was at Fenway Park for much of the day. He threw batting practice to a group of people who donated to the Jimmy Fund during the telethon last summer, then took in the game. He also spent time on NESN and WEEI. The 53-year-old Clemens pitched for the Red Sox from 1984-96 and the Astros from 2004-06 . . . Bogaerts’s home run in the first inning gave the Red Sox 13 games in a row with a homer. It’s their longest streak since 2000 . . . The Red Sox have won seven of nine, 10 of 13 and 14 of 18 . . . The Red Sox have a plus-58 run differential, the best in the American League by 23 runs . . . Jackie Bradley Jr. has 14 RBIs in his last 14 games. He has 29 in all, one behind David Ortiz for the most on the team.

Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @peteabe.