BOSTON -- The Rangers did not plan on holding back as they entered the series against an American League competitor and defending World Series champion.

“Don’t be shy,” manager Chris Woodward said before Monday’s game. “Go out and take it to them. If they beat us, they beat us. But they better beat us because they beat us, not because we weren’t prepared for it or we didn’t compete.

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“Our guys, I think that’s easy to say because we don’t quit.”

No, the Rangers did not quit. Just when it looked like another strong outing by Mike Minor (8 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 6 strikeouts) would fall short without run support (5 runs in last 4 starts) the Rangers put together a ninth-inning rally and extra-innings battle to win, 4-3 in 11 innings.

The comeback marked the Rangers’ first win of the season when trailing after eight innings (1-25). They snapped a seven-game losing streak at Fenway Park dating back to July 5, 2016. The Rangers also broke a skid of four straight series-opening losses and improved to 6-16 in that category.

“The fact that we keep just pressuring teams in the late innings -- regardless of how the beginning or the first seven innings or the first six innings went -- we just have really good character in that ballclub,” Woodward said. “I’m proud of our guys because they just keep on fighting.”

Minor put the Rangers in position for a comeback after holding the Red Sox scoreless in his final seven innings pitched. While Minor was critical of all his pitches except for his slider -- “I don’t know how I got through it really. It wasn’t a good night for me,” he said -- his ERA dropped to 2.10 over his last nine starts.

“I’m proud of Mike,” Woodward said. “He’s kind of trying to prove to the world that he’s an elite pitcher.”

Trailing 2-1 entering the ninth after Chris Sale's 10-strikeout, 7-inning outing, Danny Santana singled off Boston reliever Matt Barnes and Elvis Andrus followed with a double that put runners on second and third with one out. Nomar Mazara singled to left to drive in the go-ahead run.

Shawn Kelley, who had been scoreless in 13 of his previous 16 games, took the mound in the bottom of the frame to close out the victory. The Red Sox, though, had other plans and tied the game 2-2 off a Brock Holt RBI single to score pinch-runner Michael Chavis and force extra innings.

The Rangers called upon Jesse Chavez and his 21 2/3-innings scoreless streak in the 10th. He walked the bases loaded with two outs but got Xander Bogaerts to line out to center to end the threat.

Just like in the ninth, Santana got on base to start the 11th inning with a double off Ryan Brasier. And just like in the ninth, Andrus followed with a single in the next at-bat. This time, Andrus’ ground ball to center was enough to bring Santana around for what proved to be the winning run.

Santana finished the night 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI.

“[This is] a very good win for us as we are competing for first place,” Santana said in Spanish.

The Rangers' win increased their lead over both the Red Sox and Indians to two games in the American League Wildcard standings. They improved to 5-2 in their last seven games. After dropping 15 of their first 20 road games this season, they are 6-3 in their last nine.

“To play good teams, to play great teams, to go toe-to-toe with some of the best pitchers in the game, it’s a challenge,” Woodward said. “It’s a challenge I want our guys to accept.

“Bring it on.”