The Boston Red Sox's bats and starting pitching did enough to win Monday, but once again, Boston's bullpen couldn't do its part to lock down a victory. After a quality start from Tanner Houck and a shutout seventh inning by Chris Martin, Lucas Sims and Kenley Jansen both surrendered costly runs that doomed the visitors in the series opener at Minute Maid Park. Jansen's misstep was particularly troubling, as Yainder Diaz's walk-off blast off the Red Sox closer sealed a 5-4 win for the Astros.
The Red Sox, chasing another win, had to go to Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning with the game knotted, 4-4. Jansen struck out the terrifying Yordan Alvarez on three pitches to begin the ninth.
You thought the Sox could exhale.
But a game that the Astros did everything in their power to give away ended when Yainer Diaz pummeled a no-doubt walkoff homer, handing his club a 5-4 win at Minute Maid Park Monday evening.
"I made three really good pitches on (Yordan) Alvarez, and unfortunately that one (to Diaz) wasn't well executed," Jansen told reporters, per MLB.com. "Give credit to the hitter. He ambushed me, and it won that game. It's tough. Tip your cap. But we've got to move on and fight tomorrow. Let that be motivation."
The four-time All-Star went on to explain how the Red Sox must stay present, as dwelling on the past or worrying about the future won't do the club any good. Jansen also pleaded for Boston to kick up its "urgency" with the regular season winding down.
The Red Sox will try to get back on track Tuesday when they meet the Astros for the middle game of the series. NESN's complete coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET.
Bullpen Breakdown
The Astros, a team that prides itself on clean baseball, appeared disheveled. They committed a season-high four errors. Just one of the Sox’ four runs was earned. Houston committed two pitch-clock violations, one in the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second. Díaz stepped out to argue a strike call but failed to get back in the box in time, resulting in an strike-three call. Reliever Chris Martin would get out of the inning unscathed after fanning Jeremy Peña, holding the Sox’ 4-3 lead intact.
Despite these miscues, the Astros found a way to tie the game in the eighth. Reliever Lucas Sims, who had a good lane there, according to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, just couldn’t get it done, ultimately allowing a two-out game-tying RBI single to Mauricio Dubon.
A Game The Red Sox Should Have Won
The Red Sox should have been able to capitalize on the Astros’ sloppy defensive play. They put themselves in a hole, trailing the Royals 4½ games for the third American League wild-card spot.
Red Sox Offensive Brilliance
The Red Sox offense did their best to keep the team in the game, but their efforts were ultimately thwarted by the bullpen.
Jarren Duran clipped Kikuchi for home run on the first pitch of the game. It was Duran’s second career homer on the first pitch of an at-bat and fourth career leadoff home run.
With a pitching change, Masataka Yoshida came into the game and hit a contested home run. He didn’t realize it himself, stopping at second to remove his batting gear, but the umpire waved him around. This review went all the way to New York, but it was indeed a homer—if only in this park—but who cares! Yoshida continues to impress. Gonzalez, who’d reached on the earlier error, also scored, the first time the Red Sox made the Astros pay for the night’s sloppy defense. A camera close-up caught Yoshida smiling a little to himself in the dugout (immediately post-HR) and when realized he was being watched, he bashfully ducked. Sweet moment that proves his torrid hitting hasn’t gone to his head.
The Astros Rise To The Occasion
All of that, however, was put to rest by the Astros, a team that has reclaimed its space among the baseball elite after a slow start to the season.
The Astros, though without Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, still existed in Alvarez and Jose Altuve.
The Sox are 65-59 and Cora knows exactly where his team is.
“I look at the standings all the time,” said Cora. “I look at the scoreboard all the time. I know Kansas City won. I watch.”
The Astros are now 11-1 in their last 12 games. The Sox have now lost their last two games. The Sox will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday when the Red Sox and Astros meet for the middle game of the series. NESN's complete coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET.
The Game's Turning Point
The game’s turning point came in the eighth inning, when Sims allowed the tying run. It was a brutal moment for the Red Sox, who had been playing well up to that point.
The Takeaway
The Red Sox’s bullpen woes are becoming a serious problem. The Red Sox need to find a way to fix their bullpen before it costs them a chance at the playoffs. The Red Sox's fight remains exhausting.
A Look Ahead
The Red Sox will try to get back on track Tuesday when they meet the Astros for the middle game of the series. The Astros will look to continue their winning ways.
Final Thoughts
The Red Sox’s loss was a tough pill to swallow. The team should have been able to win this game. However, the Astros are a tough team to beat. It will be interesting to see how the Red Sox respond to this loss.
A Night To Remember
Despite the loss, the game had some bright spots for the Red Sox. Yoshida continues to be a bright spot for the offense. Gonzalez’s defensive play was also a bright spot for the team.
A Night To Forget
The Red Sox bullpen, unfortunately, was the biggest issue in the game. The team will need to find a way to fix their bullpen if they want to make a run at the playoffs.
