Red Sox lose 6-2: Costly 2nd inning loses series opener vs Rangers

After sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays during the weekend, the Boston Red Sox started their home series against the Texas Rangers on Independence Day. The Red Sox would lose the series opener by the score of 6-2. The Red Sox will go back down to .500 while the Rangers improve to 51-35 atop the American League West.

The game was on a rain delay with the Red Sox batting in the 8th with 2 outs left for 1 hour 47 minutes.

Matasaka Yoshida started at left field for the Red Sox after being out with a leg injury in Sunday’s win against the Blue Jays.

According to Jen McCaffery of The Athletic, Adam Duvall was out of the starting lineup because he was battling an illness, which meant that Jarren Duran started at center field in this game. Duvall has also struggled against right handers, which he has been on the bench for three straight games against a righty.

The starting pitcher for the Rangers was Dane Dunning. Duvall would pinch hit for Tristan Casas in the 8th inning when he was struck out by righty Josh Sborz. This forced Justin Turner to switch from the designated hitter spot to first base on defense in the 9th.

Red Sox 2nd inning and the lack of runs cost them the game

The Sox struck first on the board when Jarren Duran scored on a groundout by Alex Verdugo. However, a three-run by Mitch Garver off Kaleb Ort would’ve been all the Rangers needed to win the game if they didn’t score any more runs.

Also, Boston’s lineup compiled 10 base hits but 9 runners were stranded and were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

The Rangers had similar numbers, but were a little better with 3-11 with runners in scoring position, with Garver’s home run. In the 4th, Robbie Grossman would have an RBI Double to score Garver. Then in the 7th, Josh Jung also had an RBI double to score Marcus Semien.

Red Sox had a bullpen game

The Red Sox decided to go with Brennan Bernadino for his first career start for this game. Bernadino is a part of a trend of pitchers from the bullpen who have made starts due to injuries in the pitching rotation in recent weeks.

Bernadino would pitch until one out in the 2nd inning when Ort came in relief of him. Ort would take the loss because Garver’s home run would have the Rangers take the lead.

Chris Murphy would take the bulk of the game pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing five hits and an earned run and struck out one batter.

Garrett Whitlock was put on the 15-day injured list and James Paxton landed on the paternity list, which led the Sox to recall Brandon Walter and recent acquisition Tayler Scott from Worcester, who would both close out the game for the Sox.

Red Sox player of the game: Jarren Duran stays hot

Fresh off a four-double game on Sunday, Duran would get two extra-base hits, which were a double and his first triple of the season. In his last eight hits, seven of them have been extra base hits (5 doubles, triple, home run).

The double was his 26th of the season, which ties Dugie for the most doubles on the team, and 3rd in the major leagues.

Duran would pop out to Semien in the 5th inning before being replaced by Rob Reysnyder in the 7th inning.

The Red Sox will continue against the Rangers on Wednesday night when Brayan Bello will start on the bump with a 7:10 pm first pitch.