ARLINGTON -- Trevor Story waited more than four months for his next home run. It came just in time for the Red Sox.
Story broke through with a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth inning Thursday, powering Boston to a 4-3 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field and helping the Red Sox avoid their first sweep since July.
Wilyer Abreu led off the eighth with a walk before Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch and exited the game, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa entering as a pinch-runner. Story then jumped on an 80.3 mph curveball and sent it on a line to left-center field for his first homer since May 13 and fourth of the season.
Boston had started cutting into the deficit an inning earlier. After consecutive walks to Caleb Durbin and Nate Eaton, Roman Anthony grounded into a forceout that scored Eaton. A throwing error by second baseman Nicky Lopez on the play allowed Anthony to advance to second.
The late rally came after Sonny Gray kept the Red Sox within striking distance following a rocky start to his outing.
The 36-year-old pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out six and walking three on a season-high 102 pitches (67 strikes).