Will Smith Blows Save, Boston Red Sox Rally Past Slumping Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers received some much-needed reinforcements to start their last homestand of the season.

But they failed to get a much-needed win.

After welcoming back Josh Jung and Adolis García to the lineup, the Rangers bullpen failed again and the Boston Red Sox rallied for a 4-2 victory Monday night at Globe Life Field.

Will Smith, coming in relief after a spectacular job by starter Jordan Montgomery, immediately got into trouble in the eighth and surrendered the go-ahead runs. Texas dropped to 82-68 after its fourth consecutive loss, damaging its prospects in both the American League West and Wild Card races.

Obviously, things can change in the hurry with bunched-up nature of the Al postseason contenders. But the Rangers aren’t doing themselves any favors losing three times to the Cleveland Guardians and to Boston – two clubs out of realistic playoff contention.

Red Sox 4, Rangers 2

Notables from Monday night's Rangers-Red Sox series opener.

Pen Fails Monty

Jordan Montgomery didn’t go the distance, but to get seven strong innings out of their starter should have been enough. The lefty scattered five hits and left with a 2-1 lead after 95 pitches.

Will Smith started the eighth and walked the first batter (Luis Urias) up. Conner Wong doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs.

Smith did coax a strikeout before an intentional walk, as the Rangers tried to set up a double play. Instead, Rob Refsynder singled up the middle – just past the out-stretched glove of Marcus Semien – to plate two runs.

A visible-agitated Rangers manager Bruce Bochy pulled Smith, but the damage was already done. Chris Stratton allowed a sac fly as Boston went up 4-2.

Smith has five blown saves this season.

Semien Gets No Help

Just as in Cleveland, where the Rangers struggled to score, the offense again come up lacking. If it wasn’t for Semien, Texas doesn’t score Monday.

Semien homered on the first pitch from Kutter Crawford to lead off the bottom of first, staking the Rangers to a quick lead. Semien drove in the second run in the sixth, as Evan Carter scored on a single to center.

The activated All-Stars – Josh Jung and Adolis García – combined for one hit in their returns.

Up Next

The Rangers look to snap their skid with Nathan Eovaldi (11-4, 2.96) on the mound. The right-hander is making his fourth start since coming off the injured list and continues to build up his pitch count. Eovaldi threw 73 pitches Thursday at the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Red Sox counter with righty Tanner Houck (5-9, 4.94). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.

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