Red Sox secure first home series win since early April with another win over Rangers

The Boston Red Sox achieved something that they hadn’t done in over two months on Saturday.

The club won just its second home series of the season with a 6-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Boston’s other series win at Fenway Park came all the way back on April 8 versus the Milwaukee Brewers.

A lot has changed since that day, but the Red Sox’ lackluster play on their home diamond hasn’t. Saturday’s win improved their home record to 12-21, but that’s still the worst of any MLB team.

Nonetheless, a series win is a series win, especially against a potential future Hall of Fame starting pitcher like Jacob deGrom.

“It’s been a minute,” interim manager Chad Tracy said of securing multiple wins at home after the game. “It feels good. It’s no secret … we all know we have to play better at home. We’ve played two really good ballgames here to start. Won a series there (in April) and have a chance to go sweep one, so it feels good for the guys, for sure.”

deGrom didn’t have his best stuff, luckily for Boston. The 37-year-old tossed six innings and gave up six hits, two earned runs, and notched five strikeouts.

He left the game tied at 2-2 after his day was done, paving the way for the Red Sox’ bats to take advantage of the Rangers’ bullpen.

And that they did.

Ceddanne Rafaela drove in two runs on a timely RBI single in the seventh inning to give Boston a 4-2 lead.

After a similarly strong game the night before in which he hit a two-run home run and two doubles, Rafaela credited the warm weather for Boston’s bats getting hot. Perhaps Saturday’s continuation of 90-degree temperatures helped keep the offense going.

In the top of the eighth, Texas’ Jake Burger brought his club within one via a solo home run, but Jarren Duran had other ideas.

Duran launched a two-run homer to extend Boston’s lead to 6-3, which was ultimately the final score.

It remains to be seen whether the Red Sox’ latest series win is the start of a shift in momentum. Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that the team is playing better at home as of late. In their last 11 home games, they’ve hit .282 with 57 runs scored, 40 extra-base hits, a .340 on-base percentage, .465 slugging percentage, and .805 OPS.

“I think every win matters, especially at home,” Rafaela told NESN’s Adam Pellerin. “We want the fans to be happy and that’s what we try to accomplish. Show up tomorrow and get the win.”

Boston will attempt to complete its third series sweep Sunday at 7:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be broadcast on NBC.

Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.