Boston leads the series 2-1

Astros slammed again by Red Sox as Boston takes series lead with ALCS Game 3 win

Astros' Jose Urquidy, Dusty Baker, and Carlos Correa
Jose Urquidy's rough outing was ill-timed for the Astros in ALCS Game 3. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Jose Urquidy's rough outing was ill-timed for the Astros in ALCS Game 3.

"It's just a rough couple of games, it's nothing to worry about" is a common outlook on two bad games in the regular season. Throughout a 162-game stretch, it's a sentiment that teams can use without too much worry on occasion. In a best-of-seven, however, two bad games can be the last straw that ends your season.

For the Astros, after a rough Game 2 that was doomed after the first two innings, they would watch as Boston duplicated their early-game success to jump out to an insurmountable lead in Game 4 to take a 2-1 series lead in Boston.

Final Score: Red Sox 12, Astros 3

ALCS Series (Best of Seven): Boston leads 2-1

Winning Pitcher: Eduardo Rodriguez

Losing Pitcher: Jose Urquidy

Boston continues to slam Houston's starters in Game 3

If the demoralizing start to ALCS Game 2 for Houston wasn't bad enough, where they allowed two grand slams in the first two innings to the Red Sox, things started just as terrible for the Astros in Game 3 in Boston. Hoping to get some length from their starter for a change in this series, Jose Urquidy looked good in the bottom of the first, getting a 1-2-3 frame on just eleven pitches to start his night.

Things went downhill fast in the bottom of the second, though, as Urquidy would load the bases on two walks and a double as his command started failing. An RBI single started the scoring, followed by a groundball mishandled by Jose Altuve which, doubled the new deficit to 2-0. That brought Kyle Schwarber to the plate, and he blew the game open with a grand slam, Boston's third in the last two games, to make it a daunting 6-0 score.

Urquidy would get another out but allowed two more singles as he would make an early exit like the other two starters so far in this series. Yimi Garcia came in to wrap up the second, then got banged around in the bottom of the third, allowing a one-out walk, RBI single, and two-run home, extending Boston's advantage to 9-0 and continuing to diminish Houston's optimism for this game and potentially the series.

Astros try to build some momentum

The Astros had no choice but to try and start building momentum, whether in an attempt at an improbable comeback in Game 3 or to give them something with which to start Game 4 on a positive note. After two singles in the top of the fourth, Kyle Tucker would get Houston's first highlight of the night and first runs, getting a three-run homer to cut the lead back to six runs at 9-3.

Red Sox take Game 3 and series lead

Blake Taylor was the next reliever out of the Astros' bullpen, and he was able to work around a single and walk for a scoreless fourth. Brooks Raley had the fifth, and he sat down the three batters he faced in order, sending the game to the sixth. He stayed in the game for the bottom of the sixth, but after a walk and two outs would be lifted for Phil Maton, who would give up the tenth and eleventh runs on a two-run homer to J.D. Martinez, pushing the lead back to eight runs at 11-3.

Maton finished the sixth, then continued in the seventh, and had a 1-2-3 inning that frame. In the bottom of the eighth, Ryne Stanek was Houston's next reliever, but too would not be immune to the long ball, as Rafael Devers would pour salt in the wound with a solo homer to make it 12-3. The Red Sox put an end to things in the top of the ninth, taking a significant 2-1 advantage in the series, leaving the Astros in dire need of a win in Tuesday's Game 4.

Up Next: Game 4 of this ALCS will get started at the same time as Game 3 did, with first pitch scheduled for 7:08 PM Central from Boston. While the starting pitching matchup is still TBD, the common belief is that Nick Pivetta will get the nod for Boston, while the Astros figure to put Zack Greinke back into a starting role with their recent blows to starter depth.

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CultureMap's signature event The Tailgate (shown here in 2023) is coming back for 2024. Photo by Marco Torres / @MarcoFromHouston

CultureMap is gearing up for the exciting return of The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit.

For the event’s third year, we’re partying in EaDo at 8th Wonder. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11, and tickets are already on sale.

Attendees can look forward to sports-inspired bites from some of their favorite Houston restaurants, premium cocktails, memorabilia from Texas legends, and plenty more game-day fun.

Popular Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for attendees to sample and vote for their favorite. Participants include:

  • 1891 American Eatery & Bar
  • Big City Wings
  • Comfort Foodies
  • The Halal Guys
  • J Bar M
  • Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
  • Kokoro
  • Layne's Chicken Fingers
  • Loro
  • Mainely Sandwiches
  • Pizaro's Pizza
  • Ramen Tatsu-Ya
  • Saint Arnold Brewing Company
  • Southern Jerks
  • Stuff'd Wings
  • Taste Kitchen + Bar
  • Thai Tail
  • The Waffle Bus
  • Uchi
  • Uchiko Houston

Attendees can look forward to food from favorite Houston restaurants and premium cocktails.Photo by Marco Torres / @MarcoFromHouston

Following up on the success of last year’s Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown, we’ll soon be asking readers to vote for their favorite wing joint of 2024. Our editors have put together a list of 16 candidates that will go head-to-head in a bracket-style tournament we're calling the Ultimate Wing Showdown. Your winner will be revealed at the party.

The event will also shine a spotlight on local sports organizations, including the Texans, which will raffle off a CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros will show off their Shooting Stars dancers as well as the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies, and their Shuttle Crew team will bring prizes. Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash will raffle team-signed jerseys.

Attendees can expect more fun, games, and prizes courtesy of our event sponsors and local vendors, including Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen+Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and more.

Fan favorite Astros broadcaster Julia Morales will be there with her cult favorite apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all.

We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $35 for general admission (regularly $50) and $60 for VIP (regularly $75).

All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets come with one-hour early entry, access to a dedicated VIP bar, an exclusive meet-and-greet with one of Houston's top athletes, and more perks for an elevated experience.

Head here to buy your tickets now.

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The Tailgate is sponsored by Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen+Main, Shipley Do-nuts and more to be announced.

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