Refsnyder gives Red Sox late spark to snap four-game skid

Crawford strikes out seven, gives up two runs over six innings in opener vs. Texas

September 19th, 2023

ARLINGTON -- After losing in walk-off fashion on Sunday, the Red Sox used some late-inning magic of their own to defeat the Rangers, 4-2, and snap a four-game skid on Monday night at Globe Life Field.

Boston’s offense got off to a sluggish start, but used a three-run rally in the top of the eighth inning to turn the tide and sink the Rangers in the series opener.

After losing a trio of one-run games this past week, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it feels good to be on the winning side of a comeback victory.

“It was a good one,” said Cora. “We’ve been playing good baseball and we’ve played some pretty tough games. We’re gonna keep playing hard and we’re not going to quit. We want to win as many games as possible.”

Boston’s never-say-die attitude was on full display during that pivotal eighth inning. Luis Urías drew a walk to begin the inning before Connor Wong advanced him to third base with a double to left field. Then, after Ceddanne Rafaela was retired on strikes, Rafael Devers -- who was named AL Player of the Week before the game -- was intentionally walked to load the bases.

With the bases juiced, Rob Refsnyder delivered a go-ahead two-run single off Rangers lefty Will Smith to give the Red Sox their first lead of the game.

Refsnyder noted that he didn’t take exception to Devers being intentionally walked to load the bases prior to his at-bat, and he was instead focused on making a play for his team.

“I mean, I get it,” Refsnyder said. “[Devers] is our best player by far. He was one of the only guys to hit [Rangers starter Jordan] Montgomery today. My at-bats were awful before [the go-ahead single], so I was just fortunate to come through. It felt really good, honestly.”

Refsnyder’s timely two-run hit continued his torrid performance against left-handers this year. So far this season, Refsnyder is slashing .310/.429/.397 against southpaws. Additionally, 21 of his 28 RBIs this season have come against lefties.

In that same inning -- just one batter after Refsnyder gave Boston the lead -- Adam Duvall chipped in with a sacrifice fly to extend Boston’s lead to two runs.

The gutsy late-game rally backed an impressive outing by right-handed starter Kutter Crawford, who fanned seven batters and yielded just two runs on four hits over six innings.

The 27-year-old Crawford has struggled to pitch deep into games, but he was able to make it through six innings for just the fourth time in 21 starts this season.

Crawford allowed a leadoff home run to Marcus Semien on the first pitch of the game, but he settled in nicely after that, including a stretch in which he retired 14 consecutive batters.

“It felt really good,” Crawford said. “After grinding through the last few starts, I made an adjustment yesterday and it showed out there today. I was able to command the baseball and attack the zone better.”

Crawford noted that he didn’t make a dramatic change to his mechanics, but tweaked his preparation in hopes of building endurance.

“It’s just a little activation thing with getting my body right and activating my glute to be able to stay anchored in the ground,” Crawford said. “It allowed my lower half to move a lot better, and it showed with how I was able to command the baseball.”

Crawford’s impressive outing comes as no surprise to his teammates, who noted that his supreme work ethic was bound to pay off.

“He works his tail off,” Refsnyder said. “He’s one of the hardest workers in the clubhouse. He gave up the home run to [Semien] who is a really, really good hitter, but he slowed down and pitched extremely well after.

“The Rangers have a really potent offense. You see how many RBIs and home runs they have and just know it’s an explosive offense. So for [Crawford] to do that in their home ballpark … it’s impressive. Just a gutsy performance and I couldn’t be happier for him.”