The Boston Red Sox have beaten the Houston Astros to take the ALCS lead.
Red Sox Take Early Lead
Dallas Keuchel and Nathan Eovaldi took the pitching mound for the third game of the American League Championship Series.
Keuchel had a rough first inning. The Red Sox went straight into attack on the top frame of the inning as they hit a pair of consecutive singles by Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi. J.D. Martinez then hit an RBI to open up the scoring for Boston. Xander Bogaerts later hit a groundout to bring home another run. The Red Sox were already up by two and their starter had not thrown a pitch yet.
Eovaldi’s first inning of work was not easy as well. He too gave two consecutive single to Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. Marwin Gonzalez hit an RBI single after a force out by Yuli Gurriel to cut the lead in half. The score was 2-1 after one full inning of play. The second inning was much different for both pitchers as they retired their respective sides in order.Both starters had to work hard to get through the third frame. Nonetheless, the score remain intact.
Astros Hang In There
Offense came to a stop as both Keuchel and Eovaldi settled in the mound. It was a defensive battle with good infielding and nice plays on the outfield.
Keuchel kept batters off-balance despite not striking out a single batter. The score remained intact until an RBI double by Bregman tied the game 2-2. Things went downhill for the Astros since Keuchel left the game. He pitched five full innings, allowed four hits and no runs. Joe Smith came in from the bullpen to replace the Tulsa native. Smith gave up a solo home run to Steve Pearce shortly after coming in to the game. The Red Sox were up 3-2 and Smith was out of the game.
Boston Blows Game Open
Ryan Brasier replaced Eovaldi in the to begin the bottom frame of the seventh. The former Yankee pitched six full innings. He allowed two runs, six hits and, struck out four. Brasier had no trouble in the seventh despite a bunt single by Altuve. Roberto Osuna came in on the eighth inning trying to keep to keep the score as it was in the late innings. Osuna hit Brock Holt to load up the bases and then hit Mitch Moreland to bring a run home. Boston was up 4-2.
Osuna ended his night at work in the worst possible way. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a grand slam off the Astros’ closer putting Boston up by six, 8-2. Eduardo Rodriguez shut the door on the Astros. He made quick work on the inning as he retired the last three batters in order. The Red Sox took the series lead at Minute Maid Park.
Final Score: Red Sox 8- Astros 2
Where To Watch
Game 4 of the ALCS is this Wednesday. The game is scheduled to start at 5:05 PM E.T on TBS