All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Astros, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Emotions Take Their Toll: It was not an easy day for the Red Sox. While taking batting practice, most of the team learned that the longest-tenured Red Sox player, Christian Vazquez, was being traded....across to the field to the team the Sox were preparing to play, the Houston Astros. Most of the players said their goodbyes in the clubhouse, then went about the business of preparing to play. Then, the Sox went out and edged the Astros, 3-2. It was not just another day at the ballpark. "Hopefully, we're going to be able to build off this,'' said winning pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. "It's difficult to see guys like Vazky and (Jake) Diekman go. It's definitely difficult having to say goodbye. But we understand it's part of the game and we have to be able to turn the page and we've got to come out and win ballgames.''
Eovaldi spins a gem: Eovaldi himself has been the subject of trade rumors in the last week, and could well find himself being dealt before Tuesday's 6 p.m. deadline. It's possible that Monday's outing was his last with the Sox, though he hopes that's not the case. He pitched into the seventh inning and the only two runs he allowed were both unearned. Eovaldi's velocity was still not where it's been before his IL stint -- he mostly sat 93-94 mph with his fastball, but the Astros didn't get a lot of good swings against him. In each of the first three innings, he stranded runners in scoring position, then seemed to get a second wind. He retired 12 in a row from the third inning through the seventh before allowing a one-out single to Martin Maldonado.
Duran delivers: To say that Jarren Duran's offensive contributions of late have been spotty would be a gross understatement. Before Monday night, in his previous 10 games, Duran has hit just .150 with an on-base percentage of .191 with just three extra-base hits in his last 40 at-bats. But a switch flipped for Duran. After flying out in his first trip, he doubled home Boston's first run in the third inning, then, two innings later, cracked a two--run homer to right, scoring Bobby Dalbec ahead of him. Those two extra-base hits nearly matched his output from his last 10 games. The Red Sox managed just six hits all night, but the two from Duran were enough to deliver a big victory.
TURNING POINT
In the eighth inning, with the Sox ahead 3-2, John Schreiber began his second inning of work, having bailed the Sox out in the previous inning by inducing a double play from Jose Altuve to end a threat. Then, after a walk, a single and a groundout, the Astros had baserunners at second and third with two out. Schreiber faced Jeremy Pena and, seemingly running on fumes, painted a 93 mph fastball on the corner for a called third strike, freezing Pena and stranding two runners in scoring position.
TWO UP
Bobby Dalbec: In addition to a couple of fine plays picking low throws at first, Dalbec was on base twice with a walk and double and also came around to score two of the Sox' three runs.
Tanner Houck: The Sox' closer made quick work of the Astros with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to preserve a one-run lead.
TWO DOWN
Xander Bogaerts: It was a rare off night for Bogaerts, who was 0-for-4 at the plate and committed an error that helped lead to two unearned runs for the Astros.
Franchy Cordero: Cordero got the start in right field, but was 0-for-3 and misplayed a ball in right into a single in the eighth that could have proved costly.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"It was a good way to finish (an emotional day). The guys showed up and they played and they did an outstanding job...This is what we're here for, to keep winning ballgames.'' Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Red Sox improved to 3-1 vs. Houston this season.
* Tanner Houck's save was his first since June 25.
* John Schreiber has now stranded 18 of 20 inherited runners this season.
* Alex Verdugo extended his hitting streak to six games with a single in the fourth inning.
* Christian Arroyo has reached base in every one of his four games since coming off the IL.
UP NEXT
The two games play the middle game of the series Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. with RHP Kutter Crawford (2-3, 4.15) vs. RHP Cristian Javier (6-6, 3.26)