Rangers use Back-to-Back Homers to Beat Red Sox

Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images

August 3, 2024

Rangers 7, Red Sox 4

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Aug 3) — The Texas Rangers took the middle game of their series against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, beating them 7–4. Back-to-back home runs by Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras helped send the sellout crowd of 39,414 home happy. They’ll have the opportunity to win this series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Nick Pivetta (5–7, 4.47 ERA) will take the mound for the Red Sox, while the Rangers will counter with righty Nathan Eovaldi (8–4, 3.38 ERA).

Heim, Taveras Go Back-to-Back

Much to the chagrin of Ranger fans in attendance, the Red Sox scored in the top of the first. With lefty Cody Bradford on the mound for the Rangers, Rob Refsnyder belted a homer to left, his sixth of the year. Refsnyder did it again in the top of the fourth. He hit another home run to left, giving the Red Sox a 2–0 lead. Three batters later, Connor Wong made it 3–0 with a single to left that plated Rafael Devers, who doubled to right in the previous at-bat.

The Rangers made things interesting in the bottom of the fourth against Red Sox starter Tanner Houck. After Nathaniel Lowe lined sharply to first, Adolis Garcia drew a walk. Josh Jung reached on a 5–4 force play, bringing Ezequiel Duran to the plate. He singled to left with Heim on deck.

Red Sox Inch Closer

Moments later, the Rangers tied it 3–3 on Heim’s 10th dinger of the season, a three-run blast to right. Up next was Taveras, who made it back-to-back homers with a solo shot to right, his ninth of the year. The Rangers added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Garcia led off with a double to left. Duran moved drove him in with a single to center.

This brought Red Sox manager Alex Cora to the mound to bring in reliever Brennan Bernardino. Heim singled on the next play, and Jung was thrown out at home, trying to score from second. The Rangers challenged, but the call was upheld. There was also a throwing error by Bernardino on a pickoff attempt at second, allowing both runners to advance. Duran scored on an single to short. Josh Smith scored Heim with a single to right to make it 7–3 Rangers.

The Red Sox scored again in the top of the seventh off reliever Josh Sborz. Ceddanne Rafaela led off with a single to right. After Jarren Duran struck out swinging, Refsnyder doubled to left, scoring Rafaela in the process.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers showed how relentless they can be on Saturday evening. They found themselves in an early hole. However, they were able to tie things up at three runs apiece, thanks to Heim’s three-run homer. Taveras’ homer, while invaluable, was a bonus. The Rangers were also aided by their bullpen, who tossed a combined 4 1/3 innings in the middle game.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

In the first two games of this three-game set, the Rangers have given up four home runs. Two of those dingers have been hit by Refsnyder. It’s a pretty safe bet that they will be careful about pitching to him in Sunday’s finale.

No-Decision for Bradford

Rangers lefty Cody Bradford avoided the loss on Saturday despite allowing three runs, all earned, over 3 2/3 innings. His final line was 3 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 R-ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 59 pitches/41 strikes. Saturday marked his first start since April 10 against the Oakland Athletics. He was activated from the 60-day Injured List from a low back strain on Monday. Two of the three runs he surrendered on Saturday came on the pair of homers by Refsnyder.

After taking over in relief of Bradford in the fourth, Jose Leclerc earned the win after recording two outs, both strikeouts. He also issued two free passes. His record now sits at 5–4 with an ERA of 4.08.

Rangers closer Kirby Yates tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and struck out two to earn his 20th save of the season.

Tough Night for Houck

Red Sox starter Tanner Houck took his eighth loss after allowing six runs, all earned, on eight hits over five-plus innings. His record now sits at 8–8 with an ERA of 3.09. Houck fanned seven over his first three innings, but did not strike out any of his final 13 batters faced from the fourth through sixth frames, a span over which he allowed all six runs. Five of his seven strikeouts came on the sweeper, as his 67 strikeouts on the offering are tops in the majors this season, according to Baseball Savant.

Four of the six runs allowed by Houck came via the long ball, as Heim and Taveras ambushed him for back-to-back blasts in the bottom of the fourth. Entering Friday’s game, Houck had only permitted six home runs in 2024, as this marked the second time for the right-hander to permit multiple home runs in a start this season. He allowed a season-high three long balls on June 29 against the San Diego Padres.

Postgame Comments

Looking very relaxed after the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy took his usual seat in the interview room. He discussed the night that his team had on Friday. “Jonah’s home run was big for us,” Bochy said. “We’re going through a tough stretch here. Jonah’s home run was huge. We got down three runs, so we needed somebody to lift us, and he did just that. The table-setters that got on base played a big part in that also. Leo (Taveras) followed it with another homer. It was a really hard-fought game. We also had a good effort by everyone in the bullpen. All of them did something to pick each other up, and that’s what it’s about.”

“[Houck is] tough, he made the All-Star team. We had our hands full tonight, we knew that. We get down three runs, and they did tighten things up at the plate. He’s got that chase pitch on that slider, and they did a great job of adjusting.”