The Boston Red Sox secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against the revamped Houston Astros in a closely contested game that went into extra innings on Friday night. The turning point came in the 10th inning when Roman Anthony hit a dramatic fly ball over center fielder Chas McCormick, allowing the automatic runner on third to score.
The game had initially seen the Red Sox trailing 1-0 after Christian Walker’s home run in the second inning. However, they found their rhythm in the seventh inning, tying the game with Wilyer Abreu’s sacrifice fly. With Abreu starting the bottom of the 10th on second base, Ceddanne Rafaela attempted a sacrifice bunt, which was unsuccessful, but he later managed to get a hit that put pressure on the Astros’ defense.
Anthony’s clutch hit was a 2-2 pitch that just eluded McCormick’s glove, allowing the Red Sox to capitalize on this opportunity and secure the win. Greg Weissert, who pitched a flawless 10th inning, earned the victory for Boston, marking their fifth win out of their last six games, and elevated their record to a season-high nine games above .500.
On the other side, Houston showcased strong performances from players like Hunter Brown, who pitched well until the seventh, and Jeremy Peña, who contributed three hits. Trade deadline acquisition Jesús Sánchez also stood out with two hits. However, the Astros faced a setback as Bennett Sousa recorded his first career loss.
A critical moment in the game came when the Astros had a runner on third in the top of the 10th with one out. Mauricio Dubón hit a grounder to short, and Trevor Story’s quick thinking prevented the go-ahead run from scoring by throwing home.
As the series continues, the Red Sox will look to build on their momentum with right-hander Walker Buehler set to pitch against Astros left-hander Colton Gordon in Saturday’s matchup. This game underscores the resilience of the Red Sox as they strive for continued success in the competitive landscape of the American League.