ARLINGTON, Texas — With a crucial home run and a two-run double earlier in the game, Adolis García lifted the Texas Rangers to a narrow 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. García secured the lead in the fourth inning with a solo homer, marking his first of the season, as he hit a 414-foot shot off a 79-mph pitch from Walker Buehler, who was making his debut for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox rookie, Kristian Campbell, who transitioned from second base to left field, had a memorable moment of his own by hitting his first career home run as he led off Boston’s fourth inning. Earlier in the game, Campbell almost robbed García of the two-run double in the first with a sprawling dive in left-center field, only for the ball to pop out of his glove upon impact with the ground.
Hoby Milner, the third pitcher used by Texas, claimed the win after delivering 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Local hero Chris Martin, an Arlington native, finished the game with a perfect ninth inning, striking out two batters to secure his first save following two years in Boston.
Walker Buehler, the former Dodgers ace and two-time World Series winner, struggled in his first appearance for Boston, giving up four runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. Buehler, well-regarded for his past performances in Los Angeles, is attempting a comeback after spending 2023 sidelined following Tommy John surgery. His record last season was marred by a 1-6 performance.
A pivotal play in the game was initiated by Leody Taveras, the Rangers’ No. 9 hitter, who sparked a rally in the fifth inning with a bunt single. He then stole second base and scored on Marcus Semien’s single, widening the Rangers’ lead to 4-2.
Rangers starter Tyler Mahle displayed inconsistency, issuing four walks to the 11 batters he faced, contributing to a bases-loaded situation in which he walked Rafael Devers. This was notable since Devers was struggling with strikeouts, having fanned eight times in his previous nine at-bats.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will call upon their two-time Cy Young Award winner, Jacob deGrom, for the series finale on Sunday. DeGrom, limited to nine starts over his first two seasons with Texas due to elbow surgery in 2023, will face Boston’s rookie right-hander Richard Fitts.