Rangers rally past Red Sox 7-3 to reach .500 and pull even atop AL West

The Rangers turned a close game into a division statement in the seventh inning. Brandon Nimmo’s go-ahead double and Ezequiel Duran’s two-run single lifted Texas past the Red Sox 7-3 Wednesday night in Arlington.

The win gave Texas a four-game streak, moved the Rangers back to .500 at 76-76 and pulled them even with Houston atop the AL West with 10 games remaining. Boston fell to 82-70 and has lost five of seven, though the Red Sox still hold the American League’s second wild-card position by five games.

Boston led 3-2 in the fifth after a balk by reliever Jakob Junis brought home a runner. The lead did not survive the seventh. Erik Miller allowed Nimmo’s tiebreaking double, then Duran’s single brought home two more against the third Red Sox pitcher of the night.

Nathan Eovaldi supplied the bridge Texas needed. Working four scoreless relief innings, he allowed one hit and retired his final 11 batters to earn the win in his second appearance since returning from elbow inflammation.

The Rangers had opened the scoring in the first. Willson Contreras hit his 27th home run, a two-run shot to left-center that also scored Wilyer Abreu. Texas answered Boston’s fifth-inning rally with the decisive three-run frame.

MacKenzie Gore started for Boston and left after 5 2/3 innings. He allowed two hits, walked three and struck out none. Jake Bennett made his 32nd start for Texas, while the Rangers used four relievers after his exit.

The result also tightened the division race. Houston lost 5-2 to Kansas City, allowing Texas to draw level in the standings, although the Astros own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Boston’s margin for error narrowed as the club continues to chase a postseason berth.

The series ends Thursday. Sonny Gray is scheduled to start for Boston against Texas left-hander Cody Bradford.