Rangers are new wild-card leaders

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Ian Kinsler homered and drove in two runs, and the Texas Rangers passed the Boston Red Sox in the AL wild-card race with a 4-3 win Sunday.

Frank Francisco pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to give Texas a half-game lead over Boston. Less than 48 hours earlier, the closer was booed off the mound after giving up six runs in Boston’s 8-4 victory Friday night.

The Red Sox were not discouraged despite losing a series to their closest playoff competitor.

“Who says we can’t reel off 25 wins in September?” catcher Victor Martinez said. “If you feel like you’re defeated by losing a series, that’s not the right attitude to have.”