Red Sox
Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta was credited with six hits and five runs in five innings, but was saved by Duran’s performance.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (16) and Triston Casas, right, celebrate Duran’s solo home run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Houston. AP
HOUSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran went 4 for 4, capped by a two-out home run in the eighth inning, to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
The game was tied 5-5 when Duran sent a fastball from Caleb Ort (1-1) over the left-center field wall, tying his season high in hits. He also walked once and scored three times.
“He’s so dynamic. He’s so good,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “He’s becoming one of those guys that I bet people would pay to see. You want to see him and you better get there early because from the first pitch, he’s going to do something special. And I’m glad he’s our leadoff guy.”
Duran has hit safely in 26 of his last 30 games and is hitting .343 with a 1.035 OPS and 23 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs during that span.
He said he was happy to beat the Astros after they won a three-game series in Boston this month.
“They’ve beaten us quite a bit and it’s nice for us to be able to fight back and show them that we can compete with them, even though they have a really good team over there,” Duran said.
Triston Casas, who had two hits and three RBIs, gave Boston a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run home run. Casas is 7 for 20 since coming off the disabled list Friday after missing 98 games with a left rib injury.
Jon Singleton hit a two-run home run to tie it in the bottom half and Yainer Diaz homered for the third straight game with his shot to left-center field that tied it at 5 in the fifth.
But the AL West-leading Astros went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and lost for just the second time in 13 games.
Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta allowed six hits and five runs in five innings. Zack Kelly (5-2) pitched a perfect seventh inning for the win and Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 24th save.
Houston’s Ronel Blanco also allowed six hits and five runs but lasted only 3 2/3 innings.
“They’re a tough team, but I thought he battled. He kept us in the game,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “And our bullpen did a tremendous job, a really good job of keeping us in the game. We just couldn’t get a big hit at the end.”
Duran led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Wilyer Abreu doubled to make it 1-0, and Casas followed with a home run to right field.
Jose Altuve singled in the bottom of the inning and stole second and third bases. Yordan Alvarez walked before Altuve scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Peña with one out.
Singleton then hit his home run to right field to tie it at 3.
Jake Meyers walked to open second base for Houston and advanced to third on a double by Shay Whitcomb. Chas McCormick’s sacrifice fly gave the Astros a 4-3 lead.
David Hamilton walked to lead off the fourth inning and stole second base before advancing to third on a flyout. Duran’s RBI single tied the game before a two-out single by Casas gave Boston a 5-4 lead.
Meyers robbed Tyler O’Neill of a home run by jumping the center-field wall in the fifth.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Red Sox: Right-handed relief pitcher Justin Slaten (elbow inflammation) will begin a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Worcester or Double-A Portland. … Boston released 1B Dominic Smith after he was designated for assignment Friday when Casas came off the injured list.
FOLLOWING
Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (3-2, 3.95 ERA) of Houston will go on the disabled list for his first start since June 9 in the series finale on Wednesday. Astros starting pitcher Cooper Criswell (5-4, 4.56 ERA) will start for the Astros.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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