Crimson Sox fall to AL West-leading Rangers, 6-2

Crimson Sox

By KEN POWTAK, Related Press

July 4, 2023

BOSTON (AP) — Mitch Garver hit a three-run homer, Dane Dunning pitched six strong innings and the AL West-leading Texas Rangers had a rain-delayed 6-2 victory over the Boston Crimson Sox on Tuesday.

Robbie Grossman and Josh Jung every added an RBI double for the Rangers, who gained for simply the second time in six video games. Garver additionally had a bases-loaded stroll.

“Dane, he’s been good all yr,” Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy mentioned. “I don’t know what else to say about him.”

Jarren Duran had a triple and double, and Justin Turner an RBI single for Boston, which had its three-game successful streak halted.

The sport was delayed for 1 hour, 47 minutes.

With a lightweight rain falling early within the sport and turning heavier within the center innings till the umpires known as for the tarp with the Crimson Sox batting within the eighth, the 28-year-old Dunning (8-1) stored Boston’s offense in test, giving up a run and 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and a stroll.

“Going into the season, I used to be simply roughly attempting for a beginning spot, however clearly issues simply didn’t work out,” mentioned Dunning, who lowered his ERA to 2.61 after shifting into the rotation when Jacob deGrom was misplaced for the season and wanted surgical procedure for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow.

Garver’s homer into the center-field bleachers off reliever Kaleb Ort (1-2) moved the Rangers forward 3-1 within the second following singles by Nathaniel Lowe and Ezequiel Duran.

“I noticed Jarren (Duran) on the market working and he backed off prefer it was going to hit the wall,” Garver mentioned of his shot. “With two runners on, I can’t cross the runner on first. I used to be form of simply coasting.”

Will Smith acquired Alex Verdugo to come out with two runners on for the ultimate out, recording his fifteenth save.

Boston had moved in entrance when Duran tripled into the triangle in heart and scored on Verdugo’s grounder to quick.

“It was 4 runs in six innings,” Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned of his staff utilizing an opener. “That’s the way in which we have a look at it. … It simply occurred that at present we acquired a number of hits and didn’t rating many runs.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: Positioned LHP Andrew Heaney on the paternity listing. Bochy mentioned the staff was attempting to resolve if he’ll make his subsequent scheduled begin on Friday or be pushed to Saturday. … Bochy acknowledged that lefty Martín Pérez’s velocity was down a bit in his most up-to-date begin. “If it’s down once more, then you will have just a little concern,” the supervisor mentioned. “He’s wholesome. There’s nothing occurring with him.”

Crimson Sox: Positioned right-hander Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day injured listing with proper elbow irritation and lefty James Paxton went on the paternity listing. … Proper-handed reliever John Schreiber (IL, proper shoulder) threw an on-field BP session, with infielder Trevor Story (proper elbow surgical procedure) one of many batters.

NICE TOUCH

Former Crimson Sox and present Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi caught a ceremonial first pitch from Boston bullpen catcher Mani Martinez, who not too long ago grew to become a U.S. citizen.

GO GET IT

Proper fielder Verdugo made a prolonged run to seize Adolis García’s drive in entrance of the Pesky Pole.

HE’LL GET A SHOT

Bochy mentioned Eovaldi (10-3, 2.64 ERA) will begin the sequence finale on Thursday evening.

“I’m undoubtedly excited,” Eovaldi mentioned, standing on the sphere behind residence plate about 90 minutes earlier than the sport.

The Crimson Sox had a video tribute for him after the primary inning and he stepped out from the dugout, smiling and waving his cap to the gang that gave him a pleasant ovation.

UP NEXT

Rangers RHP Jon Grey (6-4, 3.21 ERA) is ready to face Boston righty Brayan Bello (5-5, 3.06) Wednesday within the second sport of the three-game sequence.