With runners on second and third and two outs in the bottom of the seventh of a tie game, the Rangers elected to pitch to Bregman with first base open. Bregman — who’d already homered and doubled — made them regret the strategy, dumping a two-run single to left for the game-winning runs.

Bregman and Abreu each drove in three runs for the Red Sox, who were 1-4 against the Rangers this season before pulling out the victory.

For how much the Red Sox have struggled of late, Wednesday had the makings of game that could propel them in the right direction.