Jarren Duran has been letting his bat do a lot of the talking lately for the Boston Red Sox against the Houston Astros. Duran went 4-for-4, including a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, to help the Red Sox stop the Astros 6-5 on Tuesday night.
Reliever Fails Houston Astros
Houston Astros starter Ronel Blanco was not really sharp on Tuesday night. Blanco gave up three runs in the top of the first, highlighted by Triston Casas’ two-run homer. That helped put the Boston Red Sox up 3-0, but the Astros matched that run output.
Jon Singleton smacked a two-run homer that just made it over the right-field wall. It was part of a three-run first inning for the Astros to make it 3-3. Yanier Diaz added a solo homer in the fifth inning to tie things up again at 5-5. There was no more scoring until Duran’s home run.
In what has been a problem at times this season, the Houston Astros were pitiful with runners in scoring position. They were 0-for-8, unable to put together clutch at-bats.
Even with the loss, the Astros maintain their American League West Division lead. Seattle continued its West Coast series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
Casas has been on a tear for Boston. He’s missed 98 games this season with a left rib strain. But he’s come back on fire for the Red Sox. Since Friday, Casas is 7-for-20 at the plate. Red Sox reliever Zack Kelly (5-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen and Kenley Jansen earned his 24th save. It was quite a turnaround for Jansen, who gave up Diaz’s game-winning home run on Monday night.
The Houston Astros lost for the second time in 13 games. Now, the series is tied at a game apiece going into Wednesday afternoon’s series finale. But the Astros are going to be excited about having a familiar face back on the mound.
Justin Verlander Returns
Justin Verlander, who has been working hard to come back from neck stiffness, gets back into the Astros’ rotation. Not a minute too soon. Seeing Blanco struggle on Tuesday night almost speaks volumes to a possibly tired rotation. Blanco was pulled after 3 2/3 innings of work, leaving the bullpen on duty. That, obviously, didn’t work out well for the Astros. During this stretch of 18 straight games, being able to maybe go to a six-man rotation will give starters more rest.
Meanwhile, third baseman Alex Bregman may be nearing a return to the lineup. Bregman was out again on Tuesday night as he keeps dealing with a swollen elbow. He’s been taking ground balls and even getting time in the batting cage. But Astros manager Joe Espada is going to keep an eye on Bregman’s situation.
Espada said “he’s getting closer to getting into the lineup,” according to MLB.com. He added that Bregman was going to hit on Tuesday before the Astros’ game. Espada said “once he hits, we will see if he could be available tonight.” Houston had a pinch-hitting situation in the bottom of the ninth. But Victor Caratini was sent up and flew out for the game’s final out.
Verlander (3-2, 3.95 ERA) will battle Boston’s Cooper Criswell (5-4, 4.56) to wrap up the homestand at Minute Maid Park, The Associated Press reports.
The Astros picked up outfielder Ben Gamel, who had been put on waivers by the New York Mets. In 18 games for the Mets, Gamel went 5-for-23. Over nine seasons, Gamel has hit .252 with 40 home runs and 200 RBIs. To make room for Gamel, Houston put pitcher J.P. France on the 60-day disabled list. He’s out for the year.
