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FINAL: Red Sox 4, Rangers 2 - Boston takes the lead late after sluggish start
The Red Sox picked up their first win in four games and their first road win in five games with a 4-2 win against the Rangers in the series-opener in Texas on Monday. Rob Refsnyder's RBI single in the eighth inning scored the tying and winning runs for Boston before Adam Duvall drove in insurance with a sacrifice fly for the 4-2 final. Marcus Semien opened the scoring with a first-pitch home run in the bottom of the first, but Kutter Crawford settled in, throwing 6.0 strong innings before Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski and Chris Martin locked it down in relief.
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WHO: Red Sox (74-76) vs. Rangers (82-67)
WHEN: 8:05 p.m.
WHERE: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
SERIES TO DATE: Boston leads season series, 2-1
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.26) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (9-11, 3.47)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
1. Ceddanne Rafaela
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Rob Refsnyder LF
4. Adam Duvall RF
5. Pablo Reyes SS
6. Trevor Story DH
7. Bobby Dalbec 1B
8. Luis Urias 2B
9. Connor Wong C
SP Kutter Crawford
RANGERS
1. Marcus Semien 2B
2. Corey Seager SS
3. Nathaniel Lowe 1B
4. Mitch Garver DH
5. Josh Lung 3B
6. Robbie Grossman RF
7. Jonah Heim C
8. Leody Taveras CF
9. Evan Carter LF
SP Jordan Montgomery
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox have lost four straight coming off their sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays in Toronto. Riding a five-game losing streak on the road, they continue their road trip when they begin a three-game set with the Rangers in Texas.
Boston now sits under .500 for the first time since June 30, holding last place in the AL East, two games back of the Yankees. The Sox have lost 10 of their last 12 as part of a 5-11 run since Sept. 1.
The Rangers followed up a six-game winning streak with a sweep at the hands of the Guardians in Cleveland over the weekend. They stand 1.0 games ahead of Seattle for the final AL Wild Card spot and 1.5 games back of Houston for first in the AL West.
Crawford will make his second start and third career appearance against Texas, carrying a 4.50 ERA after allowing eight hits and three runs (earned) with two walks and four strikeouts through 6.0 innings. He last faced the Rangers on July 6 at Fenway, allowing seven hits and three runs (earned) with a walk and three strikeouts in a 10-6 win for the Red Sox.
He went 4.2 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Yankees last time out, giving up three hits and one run (earned) with three walks and seven strikeouts. Crawford has made it through fewer than 5.0 innings in three straight starts.
Montgomery will make his 15th career start against the Red Sox. He is previously 1-2 with a 3.95 ERA, last facing Boston on July 15, 2022, with the Yankees at Fenway. He gave up three runs (earned) on six hits (two HR) with one walk and four strikeouts over 6.0 innings.
He threw 7.0 scoreless innings in a win at Toronto last time out, giving up four hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He has a 3-2 record and a 3.59 ERA in eight starts since being acquired at the trade deadline from St. Louis.