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FINAL: Rangers 15, Red Sox 5 - Boston's early lead evaporates as Texas takes off
The Red Sox spotted Brayan Bello an early 4-0 lead through two innings, but the Rangers woke up in a big way, going on a 15-0 run over the next eight innings en route to a 15-5 win to take the series from Boston. Bello allowed a career-high eight runs (all earned), including giving up six in the bottom of the second as the Sox' lead evaporated in short order. Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim led the way for the Rangers with three RBI each. Adam Duvall and Bobby Dalbec each homered for Boston, who will return home for a three-game set with the White Sox this weekend.
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WHO: Red Sox (75-77) vs. Rangers (83-68)
WHEN: 2:05 p.m.
WHERE: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
SERIES TO DATE: 1-1, Boston. Season series: 3-2, Boston
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (12-9, 3.71) vs. RHP Jon Gray (8-8, 4.05)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
1. Ceddanne Rafaela SS
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Alex Verdugo RF
5. Adam Duvall CF
6. Masataka Yoshida LF
7. Bobby Dalbec 1B
8. Reese McGuire C
9. Luis Urias
SP Brayan Bello
RANGERS
1. Marcus Semien 2B
2. Corey Seager SS
3. Nathaniel Lowe 1B
4. Josh Jung 3B
5. Adolis Garcia RF
6. Jonah Heim C
7. Mitch Garver DH
8. Leody Taveras CF
9. Evan Carter LF
SP Jon Gray
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox will continue to try to play the role of spoiler as they close out their three-game set against the Rangers on a getaway day. Boston has a chance to take the series from Texas after winning on Monday before the bullpen faltered in Tuesday's loss.
The Sox sit two games below .500 and 1.5 games back of the Yankees in the basement of the AL East after dropping four of their last five and 16 of their last 22. The Rangers snapped a four-game skid with last night's win, moving to within 0.5 games of Houston for first in the AL West.
Bello will get the start in the day game, a situation in which he has a 3-4 record and a 5.80 ERA. He'll make his third career start against Texas, previously going 2-0 after allowing two earned runs over 13.0 innings. The young righty threw 6.0 innings in a loss at Toronto his last time out, giving up three earned runs on four hits (one homer) with one walk and 10 strikeouts. He is 4-2 over his last six starts, allowing three or fewer earned runs in each.
Gray will make his third career start and appearance against Boston. He is previously 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA over 13.1 innings of work. In his last outing, he made it through just 3.2 innings in a loss at Cleveland, giving up three earned runs on seven hits (one homer) with two HBP, two walks and three strikeouts. He has a 5.72 ERA over his last nine starts.
Bello and Gray squared off at Fenway on July 5, a 4-2 win for the Sox. The latter gave up four runs (three earned) on nine hits with three walks and 2 K's in 6.0 innings. The former allowed two earned runs on eight hits (one homer) with no walks and three strikeouts in 7.0 innings.