In a game that meant absolutely nothing to either team, the Red Sox finished out the 2017 regular season with a 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros, their playoff opponents later this week.
Houston rallied for four late runs in the seventh off the Red Sox bullpen.
An error by Rajai Davis proved costly as it advanced a baserunner and kept the inning going. The Astros used four singles, a walk, an error and a sacrifice fly for their big innings.
The Sox had taken a 3-0 lead off starter Collin McHugh in the fourth. An opposite-field double by Rafael Devers got the Sox on the board.
Devers then advanced to third on a single by Chris Young and scored on passed ball.
Hector Velazquez was impressive in a spot start, holding the Astros scoreless over four innings while striking out four.
GAME NO.: 162
WHO: Red Sox (93-68) vs Houston Astros (100-61)
WHEN: 3:05
WHERE: Fenway Park
RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM)
TV: NESN
PITCHERS: RHP Hector Velazquez (3-1, 3.48) vs. RHP Collin McHugh (4-2, 3.45)
BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
- It may not be terribly significant in the big scheme of things, but Hector Velazquez has been impressive through the first four innings. These aren't enviable conditions for a starting pitcher -- final game of the season, playoff spot locked in and a lineup that's full of extras. But Velazquez has shut out Houston for the first four innings while recording four strikeouts and allowing three hits.
- Brock Holt, who's been abysmal with the bat for much of the season (.520 OPS), has had better at-bats over the last few days. On Saturday, he was 2-for-4 and today, he lined out hard to center in his first plate appearance and singled to right in the fourth. Holt is assured of a playoff roster spot because of his versatility, but with some uncertainty surrounding both Dustin Pedroia and Eduardo Nunez, some more competitive at-bats from Holt are certainly welcome.
- For a guy who might be on the playoff roster bubble, Brandon Workman did nothing to help his cause today. He faced five hitters and allowed a double, a walk and a single, retiring only two. Workman is in a fight with Austin Maddox and Matt Barnes for what's likely the 12th and final spot on the pitching staff.
- Chris Sale will throw on the side in the next day or two in anticipation of his Game 1 ALDS start Thursday, but won't face live hitters. "We're taking advantage of some additional days of rest here,'' said John Farrell.
- Eduardo Nunez took live BP, took grounders and ran the bases again. "We'd like to get him into a simulated game situation, likely Tuesday,'' Farrell said, "where he's facing a little more live pitching and is able to break out of the (batter's) box a little bit more clean. There's an adjustment with the (newly designed) shoes; the others were grabbing and he aggravated the knee. Right now, everything points to Eduardo being on the (ALDS) roster I don't know exactly what his capacity is going to be. All of that is to be determined.''
- The Red Sox will be off Monday and work out Tuesday afternoon at Fenway before leaving for Houston later that afternoon.
- Because of uncertainty surrounding both Nunez and Dustin Pedroia (knee), Farrell said the Sox will have to be mindful of infield depth when putting the roster together.