Rangers erase three-run deficit to beat Red Sox 7-4 on Saturday

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras hit back-to-back home runs from the bottom of the order to erase a three-run deficit in the fourth inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4 on Saturday night.

Rob Refsnyder, who tied his career highs with four hits and three RBIs, hit solo homers in his first two chances – his sixth and seventh of the season – to help the Red Sox build a 3-0 lead before Heim’s three-run shot tied it.

Two pitches after Heim’s 10th home run on a hit down the right-field line, Taveras hit a fly ball into the right-field first row for his ninth in the second win in the last eight games for the defending World Series champions.

Texas reliever Jose Leclerc (5-4) struck out Ceddanne Rafaela on a controlled swing of a full-count pitch into the dirt with the bases loaded as the Rangers trailed 3-0 in the top of the fourth.

Kirby Yates, the sixth Texas pitcher and the only major league reliever to go eight saves without a blown save, got the final four outs for his 20th save.

Yates finished the eighth with a bases-loaded strikeout off Jarren Duran, who was named All-Star MVP after hitting the game-clinching two-run home run in the AL’s 5-3 victory at the Rangers’ home court last month.

“A hard-fought game. The relievers put in a great effort from everyone,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “They all did something to lift each other up. It was really a well-played game for us.”

Texas rattled off its fourth straight home run streak this season after Tanner Houck struck out seven batters in the first three innings. That included six straight strikeouts, capped by a 13-pitch at-bat against Marcus Semien to end the third.

“Two pitches, right? And it happened pretty quickly against the bottom of the lineup,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “I thought he pitched well.”

Houck (8-8) was replaced after allowing three straight hits to start the sixth inning, and the Rangers added three more in a row against Brennan Bernardino in a three-run inning. Ezequiel Duran, Taveras and Josh Smith, who had three hits, each drove in a run with a single.

Refsnyder’s first multi-homer game in nine years was followed by Connor Wong’s fourth-inning single off Cody Bradford. The left-hander, who opened the season with wins in his first three starts, was making his second appearance and first start after missing 3 1/2 months with a back injury.

Refsnyder also walked five times for the first time in his career.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Red Sox: Duran had to be examined by the training staff during an at-bat but remained in the game. Cora said Duran felt something in his side during a swing, but the manager didn’t expect the All-Star to miss any time. … Outfielder Tyler O’Neill was unavailable because of an illness. He stayed at the team hotel, and Cora said it probably wouldn’t be until Monday before O’Neill plays again. … Relief pitcher Chris Martin, who has been sidelined for a month with elbow inflammation, threw a 35-pitch session in the bullpen and could be rehabbing Wednesday.

Rangers: Relief pitcher Jacob deGrom threw a 45-pitch session with no apparent issues and is expected to face hitters for the first time since undergoing right elbow surgery in June 2023.

FOLLOWING

Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.47 ERA) faces Texas right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (8-4, 3.38 ERA) in the series finale. Eovaldi, who spent four-plus seasons in Boston before joining the Rangers last year, has pitched 43 innings and struck out 166 batters in six straight starts without drawing a walk. It’s the longest such streak in franchise history.