Signs Of Life! Texas Rangers Rally, Beat Boston Red Sox Behind Long Ball Surge In 10th

The Texas Rangers scored seven runs after the eighth inning and won their first game of the season when trailing after the eighth inning.
Aug 14, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Adolis Garcia (53) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Adolis Garcia (53) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

After his errant throw home allowed two seemingly game-clinching runs in the bottom of the eighth, Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford belted a three-run, game-tying home run in the ninth to force extra innings Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox.

In a season in which they've found inventive ways to lose, they finally found a way to win a late comeback. It's their first when they trailed after eight innings in 2024. They're now 1-25.

In the 10th, Jonah Heim, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, belted a game-winning two-run homer to beat the Boston Red Sox in a wild series finale 9-7 Wednesday at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox led 4-2 before the Rangers scored twice in the eighth to tie it. Boston, however, reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning, including the go-ahead run which scored easily on Danny Jansen's single to left when Wyatt Langford's throw home sailed way high over Jonah Heim's head. The Red Sox added to their lead with Romy Gonzalez's two-run double.

Texas rallied again in the ninth, and Langford found redemption with a game-tying, three-run homer over the Green Monster in left field. The only other rookie in Texas history to hit a game-tying, two-out homer in the ninth inning or later is Ruben Sierra on June 6, 1986, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

That set up Heim's two-run homer in the 10th. Kirby Yates pitched a perfect 10th to earn his 21st save.

It's the Rangers first win when trailing by three or more runs with two outs in the ninth or later since June 9, 2007, against the Brewers and first on the road since June 12, 1990, at Oakland, according to STATS.

Three thoughts from Wednesday's game:

1. Double The Fun For El Bombi

Adolis García homered twice in Wednesday's 9-7 win over the Red Sox. He has 20 homers in 2024.
Aug 14, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García (53) celebrates with third base Josh Jung (6) after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Adolis García homered twice Wednesday, his first multi-homer game in 2024 and his first homer since July 26, a span of 15 games. He has 20 homers this season, his fourth consecutive season with 20 or more homers for the Rangers.

2. Dane Dunning Does Enough

Dane Dunning allowed four runs in five-plus innings of work in Wednesday's 9-7 win over the Red Sox.
Aug 14, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Dane Dunning (33) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Dane Dunning made the spot start and was decent. Dunning was charged with four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He left the game after Wilyer Abreu's homer gave Boston a 3-2 lead with one on and no outs in the sixth.

3. Up Next

Cody Bradford starts the opener against the Twins at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Globe Life Field.
Aug 10, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Cody Bradford (61) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers open a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. Left-hander Cody Bradford (4-0, 3.60) faces Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (12-5, 3.52) in the opener.

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Stefan Stevenson
STEFAN STEVENSON

Stefan Stevenson worked as a journalist and editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for 25 years, covering sports, concerts, and general news. His beats have included the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and Texas Christian University football.