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Final: Astros 6, Red Sox 2 - Boston falls flat again as Houston takes series
The Red Sox dropped their third straight game with a 6-2 loss to the Astros on Tuesday at Fenway. With the win, Houston takes the pivotal series ahead of Wednesday's finale and extends their lead to 6.5 games over Boston for the final Wild Card spot. Brayan Bello made it through 4.2 innings in the start, and Adam Duvall homered for the second game in a row. Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez combined for back-to-back home runs in the top of the first. Boston was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
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WHO: Astros (75-59) vs. Red Sox (69-63)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: Houston leads, 1-0. Also season series, 3-2
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (10-7, 3.56) vs. RHP J.P. France (9-5, 3.51)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUP
RED SOX
1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Masataka Yoshida LF
5. Adam Duvall CF
6. Triston Casas 1B
7. Trevor Story SS
8. Reese McGuire C
9. David Hamilton 2B
SP Chris Sale
ASTROS
1. Jose Altuve 2B
2. Alex Bregman 3B
3. Yordan Alvarez DH
4. Kyle Tucker RF
5. Jose Abreu 1B
6. Michael Brantley LF
7. Yaimer Diaz C
8. Mauricio Dubón CF
9. Jeremy Peña SS
SP J.P. France
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox trail the Astros by 5.5 games for the final Wild Card spot, following Monday's 13-5 drubbing to begin a crucial three-game set at Fenway Park.
Ceddanne Rafaela will not get the start. He made his MLB debut, entering the game at center field in the eighth inning before picking up his first Big League hit.
Jarren Duran's season is over as he'll have surgery for his turf-toe injury, sustained last weekend at Yankee Stadium as he climbed the wall trying to prevent a home run. Boston expects him to be ready for spring training.
The Sox recalled LHP Joe Jacques from Triple-A Worcester and optioned RHP Kyle Barraclough, Monday's sacrificial lamb, to make room on the roster.
Houston reinstated OF Michael Brantley from the 60-day injured list. He'll play his first game since June 26 of last season after undergoing right shoulder surgery.
Bello will make his second career start and third appearance against the Astros. He is 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA, going seven innings with four strikeouts while allowing one run in last week's 17-1 win at Houston.
France will make his second start and appearance against Boston. He made it through just 2.1 innings, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits in the 17-1 result last week.