Yankees unable to overcome early power surge by Rangers

Adrian Beltre, ShinSoo Choo and Drew Robinson each homered off Michael Pineda to build a seven-run lead, and the Texas Rangers held on to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 on Sunday in New York.

Robinson’s solo shot was his first major league hit and put Texas up 7-0 in the fourth inning. The Rangers improved to 11-5 over their past 16 games but had to resist New York’s powerful offense to do it.

After homers from Gary Sanchez and Ronald Torreyes helped pull the Yankees within a run, Keone Kela worked around Chase Headley’s leadoff double for a scoreless eighth, and Matt Bush struck out Sanchez with a runner aboard to cap his ninth save.

Before the game, New York hosted its 71st Old Timers’ Day, and for the first time since 2012, the Yankees staged the event while in first place. That was before Pineda (7-4) gave up seven runs in four innings, though, and the team has lost 10 of 12 since reaching a season-high 15 games over .500.

Nick Martinez (33) gave up four runs in five innings, including a three-run homer to Sanchez. ANGELS 4, RED SOX 2 » At Boston, Parker Bridwell pitched a solid 6 2/3 innings and Los Angeles scored three runs after its challenge overturned an inning-ending double play in the second, leading the Angels past Boston.

Ben Revere had three singles and Kaleb Cowart drove in two runs for Los Angeles, which won two of three against the Red Sox for its fifth series win in the last six.

Doug Fister (0-1) lost his Red Sox debut, giving up three runs and seven hits in six-plus innings. He was signed by Boston on Friday after being released by the Angels.

Mitch Moreland and Jackie Bradley Jr. each hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who lost their second straight at Fenway Park after winning 10 of the previous 12.

Mets 8, Giants 2 >> At San Francisco, Rene Rivera homered twice, Rafael Montero pitched into the sixth inning in a spot start and the New York Mets swept the sliding San Francisco Giants.

Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce also connected for New York, which had lost four straight and seven of eight coming into the series. Granderson went 2 for 3 with three walks.

San Francisco has lost five straight and 12 of 13. Matt Moore (3-8) was charged with five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Rivera hit a two-run homer in the second and a solo drive in the fourth. It was the first career multihomer game for the reserve catcher, who has played for five teams during parts of nine seasons in the majors. TEBOW BEING PROMOTED » Tim Tebow is moving up and heading south to some very familiar territory.

Tebow has been promoted to the New York Mets’ high Class A affiliate in St. Lucie, Florida. The 29-year-old Tebow led the University of Florida to two national championships in football and won the 2007 Heisman Trophy during his stellar career with the Gators.

“I’m not sure how much of an additional challenge it will be,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday in San Francisco. “Clearly it’s a step up. I certainly think he can handle it.”

Tebow began his first pro baseball season with Class A Columbia, drawing huge crowds at home and wherever the Fireflies went in the South Atlantic League. He entered his final Fireflies game batting .222 with three home runs and 23 RBIs.

“I wouldn’t say he has excelled there, but at the same time, what he’s done there given all the circumstances justified the promotion to Port St. Lucie,” Alderson said.

Tebow is happy to be headed back to the Sunshine State, where he still has family, friends and many, many supporters in Gator colors.

“I obviously love Florida so this is nice,” he said with a grin. “But the goal and focus is improving as a baseball player.”