Langford and García both homer in the 6th to push Rangers past Red Sox 3-2

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Wyatt Langford and Adolis García hit solo home runs in the sixth inning to put the Texas Rangers over the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Sunday.

The homers came after Boston scored twice in the top of the inning off Texas’ bullpen to spoil Jacob deGrom’s first start of the season. DeGrom allowed two hits in five shutout innings, lifted after nearing his pitch count at 73.

Langford’s opposite-field homer off rookie Richard Fitts (0-1) barely cleared the wall in the right-field corner. Two batters later, García blasted an 0-2 sweeper into the second deck in left field.

The Red Sox scored twice in the sixth inning off Shawn Armstrong (1-0), one run unearned, to take the lead. Wilyer Abreu hit a two-out, 0-2 opposite-field double into the left-field corner to score Kristian Campbell and came around when Rangers third baseman Ezequiel Durán threw low to first base.

Texas took a 1-0 lead in the second, loading the bases on singles on four pitches, followed by Durán’s sacrifice fly — on a sliding grab by Jarren Duran — to score Jake Burger.

Fitts gave up three runs on six hits with no walks in six innings.

Luke Jackson pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his second save in two opportunities.

The Rangers won three straight after dropping the series opener.

Red Sox DH Rafael Devers went 0-4 with two strikeouts and a walk. Devers went 0 for 16 in the series with 12 strikeouts.

Jackson left runners at first and second, striking out Alex Bregman on a check swing to end the game.

The Red Sox were 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base.

Both teams play on the road Monday. Red Sox LHP Sean Newcomb will face Baltimore LHP Cade Povich. Rangers rookie RHP Kumar Rocker will oppose Cincinnati RHP Brady Singer.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Texas Rangers' Ezequiel Duran hits a sacrifice flyout that scored teammate Jake Burger during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Boston Red Sox 's Wilyer Abreu, right, steals second base against Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, left, during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

CORRECTS ID: Boston Red Sox's Kristian Campbell, bottom, reaches second base on a double against Texas Rangers short stop Jonathan Ornelas, top, during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers' Adolis García, left, swings through hitting a home run in front of Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong, center, and home plate umpire Nestor Ceja, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom stands on the mound during the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts, left, waits for a new ball after Texas Rangers' Adolis García, back right, runs after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers' Adolis García runs the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nathan Ordaz scored in the 57th minute, and Los Angeles FC kept Lionel Messi off the scoresheet Wednesday night in a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.

Messi had produced a goal (5) or an assist (2) in each of his first six Champions Cup appearances since joining Miami two years ago, including three goals in the early rounds of this year's tournament.

After returning from injury only last weekend, Messi played the entire match in Los Angeles. He put two of his five shots on target, but Hugo Lloris stopped both chances.

The clubs meet again in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, April 9, for the second leg of the quarterfinal.

The aggregate winner advances to the semifinals to face MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps or Liga MX’s Pumas, who played to a 1-1 draw in their first leg.

The 21-year-old Ordaz put LAFC ahead when he eluded Sergio Busquets and hammered a swift shot into the bottom corner of the Herons' net from well outside the penalty area. The promising homegrown player and Los Angeles native also scored against Columbus in a Champions Cup match last month.

Ordaz had narrowly avoided a red card in the first half when he became entangled with Maxi Falcón. The Uruguayan defender went down from what Miami felt was a punch by Ordaz, who was given only a yellow upon video review.

LAFC, which finished as the runner-up in this tournament in 2020 and 2023, ended its 0-4-1 skid over the previous 3 1/2 weeks with a strong performance on both ends against powerhouse Miami, which leads the MLS standings at 4-0-1.

The 37-year-old Messi has been slowed in recent weeks by an adductor injury, forcing him to miss duties with the Argentine national team last month. But he returned to MLS play last Saturday with a goal as a substitute in Miami’s win over Philadelphia, and he was in the Herons’ starting lineup in Los Angeles.

Messi took two free kicks in dangerous areas in the first half, but he sailed his first over the bar and sent the second directly to Lloris.

He had a good chance in the 80th minute, but his quick turnaround shot above the penalty area was also too high. He fired another low shot at Lloris in the 86th minute, and the French keeper smothered it after a bobble.

Messi earned one last free kick off a foul on a dribble in second-half injury time, but also sailed it high.

The packed crowd included NBA great Stephen Curry, whose Golden State Warriors play the Lakers on Thursday night.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Fans watch as Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waits to make a free kick during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Los Angeles FC, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, stops the ball as Los Angeles FC midfielder Marco Delgado puts pressure on him during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, second from right, kicks the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Los Angeles FC, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, below, and Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead try to head the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, kicks past Los Angeles FC forward Nathan Ordaz during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)