Boston had a chance to jump back into the race in the American League East just in front of the break but instead dropped two of three to the first-place New York Yankees and forgot to bring their bats out of the All-Star break.
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Unlike their previous games this trip, though, the Red Sox battled back. He received a standing ovation from the many Giants fans in the stands above the third-base dugout when he was pulled by Bochy after issuing a one-out walk in the seventh.
But with Craig Breslow on the mound in the bottom of the ninth, Altuve lofted a 2-2 pitch to left field for the game-winning homer.
He said he was a little nervous when the umpires were reviewing the home run.
Both teams swapped leads during the game, with the Red Sox scoring two runs in the eighth inning to even the score at 4-4.
Carter finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two RBIs. Not only did the runner score from third, but Marisnick capitalized on Hanley Ramirez’s slow reaction in left to motor all the way around and tie the game.
When Altuve singled, the Sox went to Junichi Tazawa and Houston built a lead.
Let’s just say it didn’t go as well as one would hope.
After retiring L.J. Hoes for out No. 1, the tall right-hander served up a game-tying home run to pinch hitter Colby Rasmus.
– Tazawa had a rough series, following up his one-inning stint in which he allowed a run on two hits, Tuesday, with Thursday’s stinker.
After Altuve singled in the ensuing at-bat, Ogando was done.
The punchless Red Sox (42-53) have one homer during their losing streak and now try to avoid their first eight-game slide since August 17-24.
The home run was the fourth hit of the night for Altuve, his first career walk-off home run, and came on a night that he also beat out a bunt single, doubled, singled, stole second and scored. Correa hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Betts, Altuve scored.
Houston still touched Tazawa for an additional run, however.
Gonzalez was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple before rookie Carlos Correa doubled and scored on a single by Evan Gattis to push the lead to 4-2.
Johnson only pitched 4.1 innings and left after he got into a jam in the fifth having already thrown 87 pitches. The Astros have been doing their part with wins in five of six following Wednesday’s victory.
Miley was by no means ideal, but when he exited the game in the sixth, the Red Sox held a 2-1 lead.
– Boston added a second run in the second courtesy of a rare display of power by Napoli. The pair of relievers allowed three, seventh-inning runs to the Astros, blowing the win for the starter.
If it seemed that the Red Sox had nothing left to lose, they’re proving that’s not the case.
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The struggling Red Sox have lost six in a row, and it’ll be up to beleaguered righty Joe Kelly to stop the bleeding Wednesday night in Houston.
