Boston got the first punch at Globe Life Field, but Texas owned the late innings Wednesday, turning a tight game into a 7-3 Rangers win and handing the Red Sox a frustrating setback in Arlington.
Contreras gives Boston an early edge
Roman Anthony began the night by drawing a four-pitch walk. Jahmai Jones followed with a flyout, and Wilyer Abreu reached on a fielder’s choice while beating the return throw to first, preventing an inning-ending double play.
That left the door open for Willson Contreras, who came in carrying a .563 career average against Gore. Contreras first challenged a called strike with the automated ball-strike system, and the call was reversed when the pitch was shown to be below the zone.
With the at-bat extended, Gore left an 87 mph slider in the heart of the plate. Contreras drove it into the left-center seats for his 27th homer of the season, giving Boston a 2-0 lead.
- Anthony started the game with a walk.
- Abreu beat out the relay after a forceout to keep the first inning alive.
- Contreras used a successful ABS challenge before delivering a two-run homer.
- The blast was Contreras’ 27th of the season.
Rangers mistakes briefly put the Red Sox back in front
Texas drew even with a pair of runs, tying the score at 2 in the fourth, but the Rangers gave Boston an opening in the fifth.
Caleb Durbin led off that inning with Boston’s third walk against Gore. Trevor Story then hit a line drive toward third baseman Josh Jung, who could not convert it into an out. Durbin saw Jung’s slow recovery and kept moving, taking third base before the ball returned to the infield.
That sequence ended Gore’s outing and brought Jakob Junis in from the Texas bullpen. Before facing pinch-hitter Mickey Gasper, Junis lost the ball from his glove while coming set, resulting in a balk. Durbin scored, and Boston had a 3-2 advantage.
The Rangers answered immediately, however, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to square the game again.
Boston bullpen stumbles in the deciding frames
Jake Bennett had to navigate traffic from the opening inning. He threw 26 pitches in the first while allowing two doubles and a single, but limited the damage to one run. Texas added another run against him in the fourth.
Boston then handed the game to a relief corps that entered the night in strong form. The Red Sox bullpen led the Majors with a 3.09 ERA and had produced a 1.45 ERA over its previous 10 games.
That group could not close the door in Arlington. Erik Miller, Boston’s second reliever, surrendered three runs on two hits in the seventh, putting Texas in control. Raymond Burgos allowed an additional Rangers run in the eighth.
- Texas tied the game in the fourth and again in the fifth.
- Miller gave up three runs in the seventh inning.
- Burgos permitted one more run in the eighth.
- The Rangers finished with a 7-3 victory.
Wild Card standing remains intact
The loss did not move Boston from the second American League Wild Card position. The Red Sox still hold a 5 1/2-game lead over the White Sox after Chicago lost to Cleveland earlier Wednesday.
SEO Title: Rangers Rally Past Red Sox 7-3 After Contreras Homer
SEO Description: Willson Contreras hit his 27th home run, but a late Rangers surge against Boston’s bullpen sent the Red Sox to a 7-3 loss at Globe Life Field.
