Wyatt Langford homered on Connelly Early's first pitch and the Texas Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 in MLB play Sunday night at Fenway Park, avoiding a three-game sweep in Boston.
Langford's leadoff shot cleared the Green Monster and left the ballpark, according to the ESPN/AP recap. Kyle Higashioka added a three-run homer in the second inning, giving Texas the early cushion it needed.
Rangers Build Lead With Early Power
Higashioka's homer made it 4-0 in the second and he finished with two hits and three RBI. Justin Foscue had three hits, while Brandon Nimmo added two doubles and two RBI for the Rangers, who ended their road trip at 3-3.
Texas did enough damage against Early before Boston's bullpen settled the game down. Early allowed six runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings, his worst start of the season by the recap's accounting.
The result denied Boston its first series sweep at Fenway Park this season. The Red Sox had taken the first two games of the series before Texas answered with power and a long start from Nathan Eovaldi.
Eovaldi Gives Texas Seven Innings
Eovaldi entered the night 0-3 in his previous four starts, then gave the Rangers seven innings against his former club. He allowed three runs and six hits with six strikeouts, improving to 6-7.
Jacob Latz recorded four outs for his 11th save after Boston cut into the lead. Willson Contreras drove the Red Sox offense with two solo homers and three hits.
The game was played in front of 32,006 fans on a night the Red Sox promoted as Scottish Heritage Celebration Night, with Scotland supporters in town during the World Cup. It was colorful background rather than the baseball reason Texas left with the win.
Boston Misses Sweep Chance
The Rangers head home for a Monday game against Minnesota, with left-hander MacKenzie Gore listed by ESPN/AP as their scheduled starter. Boston is set to open a three-game series against Toronto on Tuesday at Fenway Park.
For Texas, the useful part was simple: Langford changed the game before Boston recorded an out, Higashioka stretched it before the Red Sox could reset, and Eovaldi made the lead hold up long enough for the bullpen.