The final homestand of the season continued to go sideways for the Red Sox Thursday, who absorbed a 12-2 pasting by the Houston Astros, their likely ALDS opponent next week.
Despite the one-sided loss, there was good news for the Sox in the form of a Tampa Bay victory over the Yankees. The loss reduced the Red Sox’ magic number to one, with three games remaining for both teams.
Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez became the fourth straight Sox starter in as many games to be rocked for five runs. Rodriguez, who had allowed five runs in his previous four starts combined, was pulled after just 1.2 innings.
Blaine Boyer offered little in the way of relief, shelled for another four runs in 1.2 innings of his own.
Carlos Correa (four hits) and Marwin Gonzalez had three RBI each for the Astros. Houston got homers from Correa, Alex Bregman and Brian McCann as part of a 17-hit attack.
Mitch Moreland had his second homer in as many nights. A run-scoring single from Xander Bogaerts delivered the only other Red Sox run.
GAME NO.: 159
WHO: Red Sox (92-66) vs Houston Astros (98-60)
WHEN: 7:10
WHERE: Fenway Park
RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM)
TV: NESN/MLB
PITCHERS: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (6-6, 3.91) vs. RHP Brad Peacock (12-2, 2.98)
BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- Mookie Betts returns to the lineup Thursday after missing the last two games with inflammation in his left wrist. "Some of the swelling there was out,'' said John Farrell. "He was able to swing the bat (Wednesday) night during the game and again today, so he's good to go.''
- Eduardo Nunez took ground balls at second base, went through some increased running and took batting practice in the cage Thursday afternoon but remains out of the lineup after aggravating his right knee. "We've still got some progressive steps to take before he gets back in a game. I would say as a comparison, he's probably closer to where he was in running the bases in Cincinnati -- improving, but not yet game-ready.''
- This series represents an unusual circumstance for both teams, since there's a very good chance they'll meet next week in the ALDS. Given that, Farrell was asked if there were things that he would like to hold back from the Astros this weekend, given the added importance of the games next week. "Not at this point,'' he said. "We're about winning tonight until certain things take place and we're not there yet. If something were to happen beyond that, we'll take care of that at that time. But we need to win.''
- Farrell has taken some wraps off David Price as the lefty has now made three relief appearances. He entered the game Wednesday night in the middle of an inning, something Farrell initially said he didn't want to ask of him. But having passed that test, he next might be asked to come in with inherited runners. "We're kind of moving into less restrictions on his entry into the game,'' said Farrell. "To me, he's got no restrictions.''