Houston has taken the first three games
Valdez returns to form as Astros lock up series against Red Sox
Jun 2, 2021, 10:10 pm
Framber Valdez returned to form on Wednesday night. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Framber Valdez returned to form on Wednesday night.
Victorious in the first two games of this series, the Astros tried to lock up a series victory against the Red Sox by taking the third of four in this set on Wednesday night. They accomplished their mission, getting a couple of runs to back up Framber Valdez, who tossed an impressive start his second time out in 2021.
Final Score: Astros 2, Red Sox 1
Astros' Record: 31-24, currently tied for first in the AL West (Oakland A's in play)
Winning Pitcher: Framber Valdez (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Nick Pivetta (6-1)
Both teams get lengthy firsts, Valdez rebounds for an impressive start
Boston's top of the first did not instill much optimism that Framber Valdez would be able to get a chance to get deep into the game and build upon the success of his first start the week prior. They sent seven batters to the plate, loading the bases with two outs as Valdez would walk a run in to make it a 1-0 Red Sox lead before getting out of it.
Houston gave him two runs to work with, getting a lengthy bottom of that same inning by loading the bases and getting a sac fly by Yuli Gurriel, then taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI groundout by Myles Straw. Valdez went to work to turn things around, retiring eleven in a row after that bases-loaded walk, not allowing another baserunner until a one-out single in the top of the fifth, which he would strand. He powered on by erasing a two-out single in the sixth and doing the same in the seventh, finishing his night with his tenth strikeout to cap off a seven-inning one-run performance. His final line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 102 P.
Houston locks up the series win
Valdez's great start once again left Houston's bullpen with a short length to cover, and Ryne Stanek did his part in the top of the eighth by getting a 1-2-3 inning to hold the one-run lead. Ryan Pressly came on for the save opportunity in the top of the ninth, getting it by erasing two hits to close out the win and giving Houston the series victory with a chance at a four-game sweep in the finale.
Up Next: An afternoon game awaits these two teams for the fourth and final matchup of this series. It'll get underway at 1:10 PM Central and features Martin Perez (3-2, 3.55 ERA) for Boston going opposite Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 6.75 ERA).
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.