The Texas Rangers
scored six runs while the Boston Red Sox scored four runs.The Red Sox must not enjoy tidying up as the Rangers were able to keep them from sweeping with a win in tonight’s finale. It was a frustrating couple of games for the Rangers over the weekend in Boston but they came out quite literally swinging in front of the primetime audience on NBC.
On the game’s first pitch, leadoff designated hitter Wyatt Langford sent one 418 ft over the Green Monster to give the Rangers an early 1-0
lead. By the end of the top of the second, it was already 4-0 Texas as catcher Kyle Higashioka connected for a three-run dong, giving the Rangers what they’d been missing for much of this road trip with a big extra base hit with runners on base.
In the bottom of the second, however, the Red Sox signaled that the game wouldn’t just devolve into a laugher as they scored two runs off Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi to halve Texas’ lead.
The Rangers were up for scoring more runs in ways they’ve struggled with as Brandon Nimmo doubled in two runs on a bases loaded opportunity in the fourth inning. That double made it 6-2 to give Eovaldi a lot of runway as he eventually finished allowing three runs on six hits and a walk to go along with six strikeouts over seven innings of work.
The third Red Sox run came in the sixth when Willson Contreras connected for his second solo home run off Eovaldi, as he did his best Wilyer Abreu impression against Texas this weekend. Speaking of Abreu, he drove in Boston’s fourth run of the night — because of course he did — in the eighth to cut the lead to just two.
However, with two on, Jacob Latz came in and got the Rangers out of the eighth inning jam and then pitched a clean ninth to allow Texas to claim the finale and finish with an even road trip.
Player of the Game: Eovaldi deserves credit for putting in seven innings for a quality start on 94 pitches as he helped to save the bullpen during this long stretch.
In addition, Brandon Nimmo doubled twice and drove in two runs with his first double coming on a dreaded bases loaded chance. Justin Foscue had three hits before being lifted to get his glove off the field. Cody Freeman had two hits and drew a walk.
Kyle Higashioka had two hits, including the big hit of the night with his three-run home run to give the Rangers a four run lead. Wyatt Langford hit a home run, walked, and scored twice out of the leadoff spot. And Latz was Latz (1.1 IP, 0 R, 2 K) and Latz is good.
Good stuff all around.
Up Next: The Rangers immediately hop a plane back to Arlington to open up a series against the American League Central’s Minnesota Twins beginning tomorrow night. Texas will send LHP MacKenzie Gore to the mound to begin the series while Minnesota hasn’t yet named a starter for the opener.
Monday’s first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and you can can head back over to watch it on the Rangers Sports Network.
