BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora had right-handed hitter Rob Refsnyder available on his bench as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. But Cora stuck with Wilyer Abreu against Rangers left-handed reliever Hoby Milner who was holding left-handed hitters to a .179 batting average (5-for-28) and no extra-base hits.

However, the natural fit and heir apparent, Romy González, is proving that he can be more than a bench piece for manager Alex Cora. The 28-year-old former 18th-round pick of the Chicago White Sox came to Boston off waivers in January 2024.

The Boston Red Sox are looking to improve on an 81-81 finish in 2024 as the team hopes to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Although manager Alex Cora likes how the Red Sox have played so far this season,