The Boston Red Sox defeated the Houston Astros in the second game of the AL Championship Series.
Offensive Showdown
Chris Sale and Gerrit Cole squared off on the mound for the second game of the AL Championship Series.
David Price gave two base on balls to start the game. Despite missing his spots to begin the inning, he hanged the zero in the first. Cole’s night started in a much more different way as the Red Sox went early on the offense. Andrew Benintendi hit an RBI single to put Boston up front 1-0. A fielding error later allowed Xander Bogaerts to reach base, Rafael Devers then hit an RBI with the bases loaded to give Boston a two run lead. Cole avoided a big inning as he ended the inning after 25 pitches.
It took the Astros no time to get those runs back. A single by Carlos Correa and a double by Martin Maldonado got the Texas team going on offense to begin the second. George Springer came through with an RBI to tie the score, 2-2. Price struggled on the pitching mound on the third. Marwin Gonzalez hit a two run homer off the former Blue Jay. The Astros were up 4-2.
Once again, the Red Sox answered in no time. Cole loaded the bases, the bases were later unloaded with a 3 run double by Jackie Bradley Jr. Offense came fast and furious during the first innings of play.
The Dust Settled Down
Both starters settled on the mound retiring their opposition in order in the fourth. Price left the game in the middle of the fifth. Price pitched 4.2 innings, earned 4 runs, struck out 4 batters and left a man on scoring position. Matt Barnes got the final out of the inning to hang the zero on the scoreboard. Cole was still on the mound during the sixth inning. The Astros’ starter dominated the Boston batters as he retired ten in a row by the end of the sixth. What was an offensive showdown turned into baseball’s version of a chess match. The game was headed to the seventh and the Astros were still down by a run.
Red Sox Finish The Game
Boston’s bullpen looked like the collective version of Nolan Ryan. Both Barnes and Ryan Brasier held Houston in check in the sixth and seventh frames.. Lance McCullers Jr. came in to relief for the Astros in the bottom of the seventh. It was crucial for Houston’s bullpen to keep the score as it was in order to give their offense a shot at tying the game.
Such mission was not accomplished as Mookie Betts scored from third base on a passed ball. The Red Sox were up by two with a 6-4 score. McCullers left the game and was replaced by Josh James on the mound. Rick Porcello came in from the bullpen for Boston in the eighth. Porcello retired the side in order. Houston was running out of outs. Betts then hit an RBI double off reliever Hector Rondon in the bottom frame of the eighth. Boston was up by three with a 7-4 score.
Craig Kimbrell came in from the Bullpen to close things out for Boston. Houston tried to mount a late comeback as Jose Altuve hit an RBI single to put the score 7-5. Hopes died quickly as that was followed by a flyout caught by Benintendi to end the game. Boston tied the series at home.
Final Score: Red Sox 7- Astros 5
Where To Watch
Red Sox and Astros will play game three of the series this Tuesday. The ballgame starts at 9:09 PM E.T on TBS.