BOSTON – The Red Sox struggles against good competition continued Tuesday night with a 9-5 loss to the Texas Rangers.
The Red Sox have now lost five out of their last six games. They do not have a winning record against a team over .500 this season.
Top pitching prospect Darwinzon Hernandez, making his first major league start, gave up four runs (three earned) and lasted just three innings, in large part due to control issues. Hernandez walked five hitters but also struck out seven. He allowed three hits.
The Red Sox bullpen was exposed after Hernandez left the game. Bobby Poyner was lit up for five runs on six hits in three innings of work.
Three of those runs came on a bizarre inside the park home by Hunter Pence:
The entire #RedSox 2019 title defense summed up in one clip. An inside the park home run. @RedSoxCLNS pic.twitter.com/e0fbDvegMm
— Nick Quaglia (@NickQuag) June 12, 2019
Alex Cora and Andrew Benintendi were ejected from the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Benintendi, who might have been upset at a strike call by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez, appeared to mutter something after grounding out and was thrown out by first base umpire Vic Carapazza. Cora came out, argued with both umpires, and was ejected as well.
Rangers manager Chris Woodward was also ejected by Hernandez in the sixth inning after arguing a call at second base.
Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts both hit solo home runs. Rafael Devers drove in two runs with a triple, breaking an 0-for-20 slump. J.D. Martinez also added a run-scoring double.
The Red Sox and Rangers will play game three of their series Wednesday afternoon at 4:05, Rick Porcello (4-6, 4.86 ERA) will oppose Lance Lynn (7-4, 4.39 ERA).