Final: Astros 7, Red Sox 6 - Astros score 5 runs against Crochet

The Red Sox lose the first game of their series against the Houston Astros 7-6. 

Boston started the game strong coming out to a 2-0 lead, but a tough start from Garrett Crochet and inconsistent hitting in the middle of the game resulted in this loss.

In the first inning, Alex Bregman blasted a two-run home run to left field n his first at-bat back in Houston.

Crochet dominated through the first two innings of the game, but he faced trouble in the third and fourth innings. After allowing two consecutive hits, Crochet gave up an RBI single to Carlos Correa and then allowed a two-run homer to Christian Walker giving the Astros the lead.

In the fourth inning, Chas McCormick smashed a two run home run extending Houston's lead to three runs. In the tail end of Crochet's start, he struggled to strike out Houston's lineup allowing seven hits in four innings on the mound.

Jordan Hicks pitched the fifth inning, and he allowed another two-run home run to Ramón Urias.

At this point game seemed to be out of reach, but the Red Sox rallied with two outs in the seventh inning cutting Houston's lead to just one run. Abraham Toro started it off with a solo home run, and Mastaka Yoshida followed with a pinch-hit RBI double.

Roman Anthony then delivered a two-run home run to center field giving Boston a chance to tie up the game.

Anthony's home run became the final run scored in this game. Boston again rallied with two outs in the ninth inning with Connor Wong making it to second base off an error at shortstop from Jeremy Peña. The Astros brought in left-handed reliever Bennett Sousa against Anthony, and he struck out Boston's lead-off hitter to win the game for Houston.

The Red Sox play their next game against Houston tomorrow at 8:10 p.m. with Dustin May on the mound.

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WHO: Red Sox (65-54) vs Astros (66-52)
WHEN: 8:10 p.m.
WHERE: Daikin Park, Houston
SERIES TO DATE: (0-0), (3-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Garrett Crochet (13-4, 2.24 ERA) vs. RHP Cristian Javier (0-0, -.-- ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Roman Anthony (L) DH
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B
Abraham Toro (S) 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Carlos Narváez (R) C

SP Garrett Crochet

ASTROS

Jeremy Peña (R) SS
Carlos Correa (R) 3B
Jose Altuve (R) DH
Christian Walker (R) 1B
Yainer Diaz (R) C
Ramón Urías (R) 2B
Mauricio Dubón (R) LF
Chas McCormick (R) CF
Cam Smith (R) RF

SP Cristian Javier

WHAT'S UP

Alex Bregman plays his first game back in Houston as the Red Sox start a new series against the Astros.

Boston has called up left-hander Jovani Morán and Ali Sánchez from Triple-A Worcester. Chris Murphy and David Hamilton both return to Triple A. 

The Red Sox have three catchers on their 26 man roster and plan to use Sánchez to lessen the workload of Carlos Narvaez.

The Red Sox also DFA'd Nick Burti to make room for Morán.