Final: Rangers 4, Red Sox 1 - Red Sox unable to record extra base hit in loss against Rangers

The Boston Red Sox fall to the Texas Rangers 4-1 struggling to generate offense at the plate.

Tanner Houck made his first start of the season, and the all-star righty had a fine outing. Houck pitched 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs and only striking out two Ranger batters in the contest. 

The Rangers got the first run of the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning with catcher Jonah Heim hitting a solo shot off Houck.

The Red Sox tied the game up the next inning with another RBI hit from Wilyer Abreu who's off to a hot start to the season. However, the Rangers retook the lead a Heim again hit a solo shot off Houck.

In the 6th inning, the Rangers added two more runs to their lead in what became Houck's last inning on the mound. Greg Weissert took over, and the righty reliever gave Houck his last allowed run of the game.

Between Heim's second home run and the end of the game, the Red Sox weren't able to string together series of hits against starter Jack Leiter and Texas's bullpen. Their best chance came in the 7th inning, but Rafael Devers struck out and Alex Bregman grounded out to end a promising inning for Boston.

Overall, it obviously wasn't a great game at the plate for Boston. The top of the order, specifically Devers and Triston Casas, have started the season off to a poor start. Devers currently is hitless in eight plate appearances and the new DH for Boston has struck out seven times out of those eight appearances. As for Casas, he is also 0-8 but with only three strike outs to his name. For a team that prides itself with strong lefty hitters, two crucial bats in that lineup haven't been producing. 

On the bright side, the bottom of the order is producing pretty by getting on base. Kristian Campbell notched two hits in his second career MLB game, Abreu when 2-3 for the day, and Trevor Story has gotten on base and stolen a base in both games this season. More importantly though, Boston's top of the order needs to be more productive, especially Devers and Casas.

Tomorrow's rubber match will take place at 7:05 p.m. Walker Buehler will make his Red Sox debut on the mound against Tyler Mahle.

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WHO: Red Sox (1-0) at Texas Rangers (0-1)
WHEN: 8:05 p.m.
WHERE: Globe Life Field, Texas
SERIES TO DATE: (1-0), (1-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Tanner Houck vs. RHP Jack Leiter 
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Rafael Devers (L) DH
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Triston Casas (L) 1B
Trevor Story (R) SS
Kristian Campbell (R) 2B
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Connor Wong (R) C
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF

SP Tanner Houck

RANGERS

Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Wyatt Langford (R) LF
Joc Pederson (L) DH
Adolis García (R) RF
Jake Burger (R) 1B
Josh Jung (R) 3B
Jonah Heim (S) C
Leody Taveras (S) CF

SP Jack Leiter

WHAT'S UP

The Boston Red Sox will play their second game of their series against the Texas Rangers in Globe Life Field. Tanner Houck will make his first start of the season in this game.

The Red Sox won their Opening Day game against the Rangers 5-2. Wilyer Abreu hit two home runs in the game with his second bomb giving Boston the lead in the top of the 9th.

The Red Sox plan to use veteran Michael Fulmeras a starting pitcher in Triple-A Worcester’s rotation. It had been uncertain whether he would be used as a starter or long reliever. Fulmer signed a rare two-year minor league contract in February 2024 while he was rehabbing from Tommy John revision surgery. He rehabbed all last season in Fort Myers.

 Veteran lefty Matt Moore, who the Red Sox signed to a minor league contract February 23, will begin the season on Triple-A Worcester’s IL. Moore had the ability to opt out of his minor league contract after Boston informed him he didn’t make the Opening Day roster. But he decided on March 23 to remain with the Red Sox.