Final: Red Sox 5, Rangers 2- Abreu hits 2 home runs as Red Sox win Opening Day Game against Rangers

The Red Sox defeat the Texas Rangers 5-2 with Wilyer Abreu hitting a three-run home run at the top of the 9th inning to seal the victory for Boston. The game started shaky for the Red Sox on the pitching side, but four scoreless innings from their bullpen became a driving factor towards the win.

New ace Garrett Crochet struggled to throw strikes in the first couple innings. During this time, the Rangers scored the first run of the game with an RBI single from Kevin Pillar in the 2nd inning.

Despite balls and strikes not going Boston's way, the Red Sox were able to keep up with the Rangers at the plate. At the top of the 3rd inning, Cedadanne Rafaela brought home Abreu on a fielder's choice play to tie the game 1-1. 

Crochet bounced back retiring the side in the 3rd inning, but the Rangers retook the lead in the 4th inning with an RBI hit from Kyle Highashioka. 

In the 5th inning, Boston's bottom of the order came through again with Abreu hitting the first Red Sox home run of the season to tie the game again.

After a scoreless bottom of the 5th, Crochet was pulled from the game, and the Red Sox bullpen took over. Boston received two quality innings from Garrett Whitlock in the 6th and 7th innings, and new bullpen piece Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless 8th inning as well. Eovaldi was taken out of the game in the 6th inning, and Texas' bullpen managed to keep the game tied.

In the 9th inning, Trevor Story and Kristian Campbell got on base for the Red Sox putting runners on the corners. Campbell, making his Major League debut, couldn't have picked a better time to get his first career base hit, as the current #4 prospect in MLB snuck a ground ball past the infield to put Story on third base.

And right after Campbell's first hit, Abreu hit his second home run of the game giving Boston their first lead of the day.

Justin Slaten was brought in to close the game in the bottom of the 9th, and the Red Sox went on to get their first victory of the season.

Despite there being many big names that made their debuts with the Red Sox today, Boston's complimentary pieces were the main reason they came out with the win. Entering into this game, Abreu's only other multi-home run game happened in Globe Life Field, and oddly enough it happened in the very same ballpark. Not only did Abreu get it done at the plate, but the Gold Glover also got it done in right field making a key defensive play that helped Crochet during his rough 2nd inning. Overall, a gritty yet quality victory to start the season for the Red Sox.

Tomorrow, Tanner Houck will take the mound for Boston against Texas' Jack Leiter. First pitch will take place at 8:05 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (0-0) at Texas Rangers (0-0)
WHEN: 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Globe Life Field, Texas
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Garrett Crochet vs. RHP Nathan Eovladi
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 (

SP Garrett Crochet

RANGERS

Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) DH
Wyatt Langford (R) LF
Adolis García (R) RF
Jake Burger (R) 1B
Josh Jung (R) 3B
Kevin Pillar (R) CF
Kyle Higashioka (R) C
Josh Smith (L) SS

SP Nathan Eovaldi

WHAT'S UP

Garrett Crochet will make his official debut for Boston as the Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers for Opening Day at Globe Life Field.

Kristian Campbell will be making his major league debut in today's game. Campbell, apart of the "Big 3" of Red Sox prospects, will bat sixth and play second base. Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet will also be making their Red Sox’ debuts in this game.

Boston has placed right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to March 24, with right elbow inflammation. Hendriks’ injury was previously undisclosed. 

The Red Sox optioned utility infielder Nick Sogard to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. Romy Gonzalez takes his place on the Opening Day roster.