Heim, Taveras homer back-to-back to erase deficit in 4th as Rangers beat Red Sox 7-4

AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras homered back-to-back 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 home runs his first two times up — his sixth and seventh of the season — to help the Red Sox build a 3-0 lead before Heim’s tying three-run shot.

Two pitches after Heim’s 10th homer on a high drive down the line in right field, Taveras pulled a liner into the first row in right for his ninth in the second win over the past eight games for the defending World Series champions.

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

Kirby Yates, the sixth Texas pitcher and only reliever in the majors without a blown save in at least eight opportunities, got the last four outs for his 20th save.

Yates ended the eighth with a bases-loaded strikeout of Jarren Duran, who was the All-Star Game MVP after hitting the tiebreaking, two-run homer in the AL’s 5-3 victory at the home of the Rangers last month.

“Really hard-fought game. Bullpen. Gutty effort by everybody,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “All of them did something to pick each other up. It was really a well-played game for us.”

The fourth set of consecutive homers for Texas this season came after Tanner Houck struck out seven in the first three innings. That included six consecutive outs on strikes, capped by a 13-pitch at-bat against Marcus Semien to end the third.

“Two pitches, right? And it happened fairly quick against the bottom of the order,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “I think he threw it well.”

Houck (8-8) was replaced after allowing three consecutive hits to start the sixth, 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.

The first multihomer game of Refsnyder’s nine-year career was followed by Connor Wong’s RBI single in the fourth against 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 to reach base five times for the first time in his career.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: Duran had to get checked by the training staff during an at-bat but stayed in the game. Cora said Duran felt something on his side during a swing, but the manager didn’t expect the All-Star to miss any time. … OF Tyler O’Neill was unavailable because of an illness. He stayed at the team hotel, and Cora said it would likely be Monday before O’Neill played again. … RHP Chris Martin, who has been sidelined a month with elbow inflammation, threw a 35-pitch bullpen session and could go on a rehab assignment Wednesday.

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

UP NEXT

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

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