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

By SCHUYLER DIXON, AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras hit back-to-back homers 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.

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

Two pitches after Heim’s 10th homer on a high drive down the right-field line, Taveras lined a shot to the first row in right field for his ninth homer 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 on a full-count pitch in the dirt with the bases loaded as the Rangers trailed 3-0 in the top of the fourth.

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

Yates ended the eighth inning by striking out Jarren Duran, who was the All-Star Game MVP after hitting a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the AL’s 5-3 victory at the Rangers last month.

“It was a very close game. The bullpen gave a great effort by everyone,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Everyone did something to encourage each other. It was really a very well-played game by us.”

Texas’ fourth straight home run series this season came after Tanner Houck struck out seven in the first three innings. That included six straight outs on strikes, capped by a 13-pitch at-bat against Marcus Semien to close the third.

“Two pitches, right? And it happened pretty quickly against the bottom of the order,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “I thought he threw it 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 off 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 multi-homer game of Refsnyder’s nine-year career was followed by Connor Wong’s RBI single in the fourth 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 on base five times for the first time in his career.

TRAINERS ROOM

Red Sox: Duran had to be checked 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 would likely be Monday before O’Neill played again. … Right-hander Chris Martin, who has been sidelined for 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 will face hitters for the first time since right elbow surgery in June 2023.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.47 ERA) faces Texas right-hander 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 pitched 43 innings and struck out 166 batters in six straight starts without issuing a walk. It’s the longest such streak in franchise history.

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