Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer during a five-run fifth inning, and Yordan Alvarez added his third homer in two games as the Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox 10-2 on Sunday, completing a three-game series sweep.
This victory marked the Astros’ fifth consecutive win and continued their strong performance in Boston, having swept a three-game series at Fenway Park last season as well. Houston has now won seven of their last eight series in Boston.
Astros manager Joe Espada praised the team’s effort, noting, “Big swings, a ton of good at-bats throughout.”
Jeremy Peña contributed with a two-run homer, and Yainer Diaz added a two-run double, helping the Astros reach a season-high seven games above .500 at 62-55.
Boston’s starting pitcher, James Paxton, had to leave the game after straining his right calf while covering first base on a grounder in the first inning. Paxton described the injury, saying, “I felt like I got kicked in the calf. Then, I kind of turned around, took another step and I felt it again. I was like: ‘It’s not good. It’s my calf.’ I felt it pop.”
The Red Sox are on a four-game losing streak and have allowed the most home runs in the league since the All-Star break. Despite having the best record in Sunday games this season, Boston struggled in this series.
Boston first baseman Dominic Smith pitched a scoreless ninth inning, throwing his first pitch at 32 mph. He received a loud ovation as he walked off the field.
Hunter Brown (10-7) struck out nine batters in 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs.
With Houston leading 1-0, Bregman hit a 441-foot homer off Brennan Bernardino that cleared the Green Monster. Alvarez followed with a homer into the center-field bleachers.
Alvarez had a strong game, going 2 for 2, and now has a .482 average at Fenway with eight homers and 20 RBIs in 15 career games.
Bregman expressed admiration for Alvarez, saying, “Just to be able to be his teammate and be able to watch what he does on a day-to-day basis is special. He hits for average line-to-line, hits the ball out of the ballpark anywhere, so he’s always fun to watch and he’s very clutch, too. … He always gets his ‘A’ swing off.”
