Rangers Win Second Straight against Red Sox

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

March 29, 2025

Rangers 4, Red Sox 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (Mar 29) — The Texas Rangers had some more good fortune as they beat the Boston Red Sox, 4–3, on Saturday. Their highlights of the evening included a double and a solo homer by Adolis Garcia. They’ll go for the series win in the finale of this four-game set on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Richard Fitts (0–1, 1.74 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox, while Jacob deGrom will make his season debut for the Rangers.

Good Night for Garcia

The Rangers scored quickly in the bottom of the first with Walker Buehler on the mound for the Red Sox. After Marcus Semien led off by popping out to Trevor Story at short, Corey Seager singled to center. He moved to second moments later on a single to left by Wyatt Langford.

Two batters later, Seager and Langford both raced home on a double to center by Garcia, making it 2–0 Rangers.

The Red Sox cut the lead in half in the top of the first against Rangers starter Tyler Mahle. A leadoff double to left by Wilyer Abreu set the table for the Red Sox. Up next was Kristian Campbell, who drew a walk.

After striking out David Hamilton, Mahle gave up another free pass to Carlos Narvaez. On deck was Jarren Duran, who popped out to Seager at short. The 32,251 in attendance grew restless as they watched Mahle surrender another walk to Rafael Devers to load the bases, forcing in a run represented by Abreu.

Tie Game

The Red Sox tied the game 2–2 in the top of the fourth thanks to a solo blast to center by Campbell, marking the first long ball of his young career.

The score did not stay tied for long, however. Garcia got the crowd on their feet with a leadoff blast to left-center, his first of the season, to put the Rangers back on top, 3–2.

They tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Leody Taveras, who entered the game in the first as a pinch-hitter for Josh Smith (left quad contusion after crashing into a wall trying to make a catch), led off with a bunt single. He quickly stole second to make things interesting. Taveras scored on a single to center by Semien.

Red Sox Fight Back

The Red Sox made it a one-run game in the top of the eighth off Rangers reliever Robert Garcia. Romy Gonzalez entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Abreu, and led off with a walk. He advanced to second when Campbell grounded to third. Connor Wong, pinch-hitting for Robertson, was called out on strikes. Up next was Narvaez, who plated Gonzalez with a single to right.

What Went Right for the Rangers

This was one of those nights where the Rangers had to grind out the win. It seemed like the Red Sox wouldn’t go away. Garcia came up big with his two hits and the team just kept fighting. It’s nice when you have that type of resiliency, especially early on in the season.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The Rangers did well offensively, but their starter — Mahle — struggled on the mound, and they really had to rely on their bullpen to eat up some innings.

Mahle’s Early Exit

Rangers starter Tyler Mahle did not factor into the decision of Saturday’s game, departing after 1 2/3 innings. His final line was 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R-ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 61 pitches/30 strikes. He walked four of the 11 batters he faced, including the bases-loaded free pass to Devers in the second to plate the Sox’s first run of the game. Mahle gave way to Jacob Webb, who induced an inning-ending flyout from Alex Bregman to strand the bases loaded and preserve the 2–1 lead.

Mahle’s outing was his shortest since a 1 2/3–IP start on August 2, 2018 against the Washington Nationals (4 H, 6 R-ER, 3 BB, 1 K). After coming on to pitch in the third, lefty Hoby Milner earned his first win of the year after tossing an inning and a third. He gave up a hit and a walk and struck out one. Right-hander Chris Martin struck out two in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Buehler….Buehler

Red Sox starter Walker Buehler took the loss in his Red Sox debut and first start of 2025. His final line was 4 1/3 IP, 7 H, 4 R-ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 80 pitches/48 strikes.

Buehler allowed two runs on three hits in the first inning. It was his second straight season-opening start of fewer than five innings, and he has failed to complete five frames in four of his last six season debuts since 2019. His seven hits allowed were his most in a season-opening outing in his career.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy praised his team on their effort on Thursday, despite some rough circumstances. “It was such a good effort by everybody,” Bochy said. “It starts with the pitching staff, obviously. Those guys did a phenomenal job picking each other up. Each man stepped up, and we needed them to. Defensively, we made some good plays, and Doli (Adolis Garcia) really delivered for us tonight.”