This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Texas manager Bruce Bochy liked what he saw from the bottom of his team’s batting order Saturday night, and he undoubtedly would like to see more of the same when the Rangers wrap up a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.
Texas had lost three games in a row and six of its last seven entering Saturday’s game against Boston, but the Rangers received back-to-back home runs from Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras in the fourth inning en route to a 7-4 victory.
Heim, the team’s No. 8 hitter, collected two hits — including a three-run home run that made the score 3-3. Taveras, who batted ninth, had two hits and two RBIs. Texas didn’t relinquish the lead after Taveras’ solo homer in the fourth put the Rangers in front 4-3.
“That’s an area where we haven’t quite had the production we had last year, or for the most part this year, and we got it (Saturday),” Bochy said. “They all did a nice job. … That’s what it’s about, everybody doing something to contribute.
“I think more than anything it’s just about getting some good swings off. I thought tonight we did that throughout the order.”
Heim wasn’t in the lineup for Texas’ previous two games.
“I feel like every homer is huge when you’re playing good teams,” Heim said. “They swing the bat really well, so we knew we had to put up some runs and pitch well. … Couple days off, body feels good, clear the mind and try to get back after it tomorrow.”
Boston, which beat Texas 11-6 on Friday, received four hits from Rob Refsnyder in Saturday’s loss. Two of those hits were solo home runs.
Sunday’s pitching matchup will feature a pair of right-handers, Boston’s Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.47 ERA) versus Texas’ Nathan Eovaldi (8-4, 3.38).
Pivetta is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA in three career appearances against the Rangers (all starts). He has allowed three runs on 10 hits in 14 2/3 innings.
Eovaldi, who helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series, signed a free-agent deal with the Rangers after the 2022 season. He’s 3-0 with a 4.85 ERA in nine games (eight starts) against Boston and has given up 49 hits in 42 2/3 innings.
“It’s a young team, but they’re having a lot of fun over there,” Eovaldi told NESN before Saturday’s game. “They’re running the bases aggressively. They have a lot of guys swinging good bats right now. You got (Rafael) Devers still in the lineup. … They have a lot of guys doing it.
“It’ll be tough for me. I gotta go out there and throw strike one and try to keep them at bay.”
Boston outfielder Tyler O’Neill did not play Saturday because of an illness. Manager Alex Cora said O’Neill might not be available Sunday, either.
“Hopefully he feels better (Sunday),” Cora said. “If not, we’ll be patient, and whenever he’s ready, he’s ready.”
In addition, Boston outfielder Jarren Duran grabbed the right side of his body after he attempted to beat out a grounder in the third inning Saturday. He did the same thing during an at-bat later in the game, but, after being checked by Boston’s medical staff, remained in the game.
“He’ll get treatment (Sunday), and he should be ready to go,” Cora said.
–Field Level Media
