Final: Red Sox 6, Astros 5 - Duran hits solo home run in the 8th inning giving Red Sox their first win of the year against Astros

Trevor's Game Notes:

End of a curse: The Red Sox finally defeat the Houston Astros 6-5 after losing seven consecutive games against the current AL West Division leaders. Boston started the game hot, scoring 3 runs on 3 XBH's that included a Triston Casas 2-run blast in the 1st inning. However, the Astros followed it up with a 3 run 1st inning of their own that also included a 2-run home run from 1st baseman Jon Singleton.There were a lot of lead changes in the game, as the Astros managed to catch Boston's run total up until the 8th inning when Jarren Duran hit an opposite field solo home run to erase the 4-4 tie. This would end up becoming the game winning run for Boston.

Nick Pivetta had a decent outing today, pitching 5 innings and allowing 5 earned runs. The Red Sox's bullpen provided the best pitching performance tonight, pitching 4 scoreless innings in relief of Pivetta. For a bullpen that currently holds the highest ERA since the All Star Break, Greg Weissert, Zack Kelly, Luis Garcia (who has mightly struggled), and Kenley Jansen each provided a scoreless inning of baseball that kept Houston at 4 runs. 

Home Grown Hitting: Jarren Duran and Triston Casas contributed the most offense in this game, with both lefty hitters combining for 5 RBI's (Duran 2, Casas 3).

Duran went perfect at the plate, going 4-4 and being a triple shy of completing the cycle. He was a monster on the base path, taking advantage of every blunder Houston made on the field. It's great to see both of these hitters rejuvenate themselves in a much needed win.

The Red Sox will wrap up their series in Houston at 2:10, facing off against Justin Verlander who will make his first start since June. Cooper Criswell will take the mound for Boston.

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WHO: Red Sox (65-59) at Houston Astros (68-56)
WHEN: 8:10 p.m.
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston
SERIES TO DATE: 0-4 (0-3/0-1)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Nick Pivetta (5-8, 4.49) vs. RHP Ronel Blanco (9-6, 2.89)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) CF
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Triston Casas (L) 1B
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Tyler O'Neill (R) LF
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Danny Jansen (R) C
David Hamilton (L) 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS

SP Nick Pivetta

ASTROS

Jose Altuve (R) 2B
Yordan Alvarez (L) DH
Yainer Diaz (R) C
Jeremy Peña (R) SS
Jon Singleton (L) 1B
Mauricio Dubón (R) LF
Jake Meyers (R) CF
Shay Whitcomb (R) 3B
Chas McCormick (R) RF

SP Ronel Blanco

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox have lost back-to-back games after winning each of their previous 2. Boston has lost each of their last 7 games against the Astros (beginning 8/28/23), their longest losing streak ever against the club. Before this streak, they have never lost more than 3 consecutive games vs Houston.

Last night was the Red Sox' 4th walk-off loss this season and 3rd in 29 games since the All-Star Break (also 7/22 at COL and 7/20 at LAD).

Triple A Worcester has placed Marcelo Mayer on the IL with low back inflammation. The 21-year-old shortstop has been dealing with a lower back and upper glute muscle issue. Mayer, who Boston promoted to Worcester along with Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel on Aug. 11, has not yet appeared in a game with the WooSox.

The Red Sox will try to shake off Monday’s brutal loss Tuesday night against the Astros with Connor Wong out of the lineup. With Danny Jansen catching for the third time in four days, Wong is out of Boston’s lineup for just the second time in the last 11 games. After a hot start (.327, .856) through June, Wong has cooled off significantly. “You look at the numbers and he has been solid,” said manager Alex Cora. “It’s a good player who has been playing a lot of games. You look at the season overall, did you expect that? Probably not. The guy has been good. He’s been good for us.”

The Red Sox released first baseman Dominic Smith on Tuesday, four days after they designated him for assignment. He is now a free agent.

Boston will face a right-handed starting pitcher for the 10th time in their last 12 games.