Final: Red Sox 7, Texas Rangers 2 - Abreu hits 2 home runs and the Red Sox win the rubber match against the Texas Rangers

Trevor's Game Notes:

Steering the Ship: The Red Sox defeated the Texas Rangers 7-2 in a much needed rubber match victory. The game didn't start off too hot for Boston, as they put themselves in an early 2-0 deficit. Starter Nick Pivetta allowed home runs in consecutive innings against Corey Seager and Josh Jung. After Pivetta's second home run allowed, it appeared as if the game was already getting out of hand for Boston. In the same 2nd inning, Rafael Devers committed an error which prompted Alex Cora to talk to Pivetta. Following this mound visit, Pivetta went on to pitch 4 2/3 innings keeping the Rangers at 2 runs. The Red Sox bullpen pitched a great game. Cam Booser came in for Pivetta and pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. Following Booser, Zack Kelly, Brennan Bernardino and Josh Winckowski all pitched scoreless innings to seal a 7-2 victory for the Red Sox. Boston's bullpen allowed a combined 1 hit while Pivetta's 2 home runs were the only hits he gave up during his start.

Home Run Derby: Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran were the main contributors for Boston's offense. Duran cut the lead to 1 in the 3rd inning, putting Boston on the board with an RBI double that brought home David Hamilton. Abreu followed up in the 4th inning tying the game with a solo home run off former Red Sox Starter Nathan Eovaldi.

Both Red Sox outfielders continued providing offense into the 5th and 6th innings. Duran lead off the 5th inning with a solo home run into the bullpen that gave Boston their first lead of the game.

In the following inning, Abreu would break open the game for Boston with his 2nd home run of the game against Lefty Reliever Walter Pennington.  Abreu's 3-run slam was not only his first home run against a left-handed pitcher, but also his first multi-home run performance in his career. 

David Hamilton would also hit a solo home run in this game, sealing a Red Sox series victory against the Rangers.

The Red Sox continue their road trip for a huge series against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is tomorrow at 8:10 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (58-51) at Texas Rangers (53-58)
WHEN: 2:35 p.m.
WHERE: Globe Life Field, Arlington
SERIES TO DATE: 1-1 (0-0/1-1)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.47) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (8-4, 3.38)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) CF
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Rob Refsnyder (R) LF
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Connor Wong (R) C
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Dominic Smith (L) 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS
David Hamilton (L) 2B

SP Nick Pivetta

RANGERS

Josh Smith (L) 3B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Adolis García (R) RF
Josh Jung (R) DH
Ezequiel Duran (R) LF
Jonah Heim (S) C
Leody Taveras (S) CF

SP Nathan Eovaldi

WHAT'S UP

The Rangers defeated the Red Sox yesterday 7-4. Boston started the game 3-0 until Tanner Houck allowed 4 runs in the 4th inning. Texas was able to maintain the lead the entire way adding 3 more runs in the 6th inning.

Outfielder Rob Refsnyder played an amazing game going 4-4 with 2 home runs, 1 double, and 3 RBI's. He will bat in the 3 spot in today's game. 

The Red Sox are 11-4 in rubber games this season, including 3-3 on the road.

The Red Sox had been hopeful that Chris Martin could be ready to be activated when they start their next homestand this Friday. Now, much to their delight, that timetable has been moved up.

Boston plans to have Hendriks throw live batting practice this coming week, likely Tuesday in Kansas City. Two more will follow in short order, after which, assuming no further setbacks, Hendriks will begin a minor league rehab assignment with the chance to contribute to the major league team in September.

Rangers Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi gets the start against his former team.