The Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Wednesday night inside Daikin Park. The win gives the Astros two out of three in the series and allows them to maintain pace in the American League West.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Astros (68-53) went with right-handed Hunter Brown on the mound. He made quick work in the first, retiring the side in order.
The Red Sox (66-56) countered with righty Walker Buehler. He was not as successful to start, as Jeremy Pena hit a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the first. Later in the inning Yainer Diaz hit an RBI single to give Houston a 2-0 lead after one inning.
The Sox were quick to answer, as Ceddanne Rafaela answered with an RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1 in favor of Houston.
Brown was able to settle in after that, and he would not allow another run in the rest of his outing. He would go six and two-thirds, allowing just the one run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Houston got some insurance. Diaz came through again, this time launching a two-run homer to extend the lead to 4-1.
The lead would stay that way until the late innings. Bennett Sousa and Bryan Abreu were able to close the door for Houston.
BIG NUMBER: 0.5
With the win, Houston regained a 0.5 game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West, pending their result this evening.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Yainer Diaz
The Astros’ catcher has picked up his offensive game in the second half of the season. Tonight, he went 2-3 with a homer and three RBIs.
UP NEXT: The Astros will enjoy an off day tomorrow before starting a three-game series with the Orioles on Friday.