The Houston Astros have had a tougher time this season than their World Series run last year, but they are making a major statement in the final month of the season. Houston won for the second straight time at Fenway Park on Saturday, 5-3, over the Boston Red Sox for their seventh straight victory. Alex Bregman went deep for the 30th time this season, as the defending World Series champions inched closer to a road sweep of the best team in baseball.
Charlie Morton returned from the disabled list for this one and threw five innings to earn the victory, as the Astros have won the first two games of the rematch of last season's American League Divisional Series. Coming in to the weekend, the Red Sox had won their previous 10 series at Fenway Park.
Morton was activated just hours before the game, but earned his 14th victory of the season, as the Astros improved to 28 games over .500 on the road this season. The Astros' starter missed his last start with discomfort in his shoulder, and then overcame allowing a run on three hits in the first inning on Saturday. Martin Maldonaldo also went deep for Houston, who is looking to join the Tampa Bay Rays as the only teams to sweep the Red Sox this season.
Roberto Osuna had to work out of a jam in the ninth inning, as he got J.D. Martinez to ground in to a game-ending double play for his 15th save of the season. The Red Sox finished the night just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position, this after going 1-for-9 in that situation in Friday's loss. Eduardo Rodriguez took his fourth loss of the season after allowing five runs on six hits in just 3.1 innings.
Xander Bogaerts went deep for the second straight day and 21st time this season in the loss, as Boston will look to avoid the sweep on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
Charlie Morton returned from the disabled list for this one and threw five innings to earn the victory, as the Astros have won the first two games of the rematch of last season's American League Divisional Series. Coming in to the weekend, the Red Sox had won their previous 10 series at Fenway Park.
Morton was activated just hours before the game, but earned his 14th victory of the season, as the Astros improved to 28 games over .500 on the road this season. The Astros' starter missed his last start with discomfort in his shoulder, and then overcame allowing a run on three hits in the first inning on Saturday. Martin Maldonaldo also went deep for Houston, who is looking to join the Tampa Bay Rays as the only teams to sweep the Red Sox this season.
Roberto Osuna had to work out of a jam in the ninth inning, as he got J.D. Martinez to ground in to a game-ending double play for his 15th save of the season. The Red Sox finished the night just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position, this after going 1-for-9 in that situation in Friday's loss. Eduardo Rodriguez took his fourth loss of the season after allowing five runs on six hits in just 3.1 innings.
Xander Bogaerts went deep for the second straight day and 21st time this season in the loss, as Boston will look to avoid the sweep on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
