The Boston Red Sox squandered a late lead against the Houston Astros, falling 9-2 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday.The Red Sox led the Astros 2-1 entering the eighth inning, but Houston tied the game in the top of the eighth and scored seven runs while batting around in the top of the ninth. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman opened the scoring by hitting a solo home run over the Green Monster in left field in the top of the first inning.Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, however, answered right back in the bottom of the first with a two-run shot that sailed over the left field wall and out of the ballpark.Boston second baseman Christian Arroyo hit a one-out triple to right in the bottom of the fourth, but he was stranded at third base.Bogaerts hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth, but he was also left in scoring position. Boston starting pitcher Nick Pivetta rebounded from the home run he allowed in the first by keeping Houston off the scoreboard over the next four innings. In five innings of work, Pivetta allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three.Red Sox relievers Josh Taylor and Adam Ottavino combined to keep the Astros scoreless in the sixth.Garrett Whitlock threw a scoreless seventh inning for Boston, but he allowed a leadoff homer to Jose Altuve in the eighth, but he was able to escape further damage.Game 2 starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was called into relief for the Red Sox in the ninth inning. After allowing a leadoff double to Carlos Correa, Eovaldi was able to strike out two batters, but Jason Castro was able to drive in Correa to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.Manager Alex Cora pulled Eovaldi after he walked Altuve to load the bases. The pitcher he brought in, Martín Pérez, allowed a bases-clearing double to Michael Brantley that gave Houston a 6-2 lead. Yordan Alvarez tacked on another run by driving in Brantley on a single.In his second at bat of the inning, Correa hit an infield single and an errant throw from Pérez allowed Bregman to score and make it 8-2. Kyle Tucker then drove in Alvarez on a base it to produce the final score.Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke, who was making his first start since Sept. 19, lasted just 1 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs on one hit and three walks.Houston's relief pitchers allowed four more walks over the remainder of the game, but limited Boston to just four more hits after Greinke left the game.Astros closer Ryan Pressly allowed two hits in the bottom of the ninth, but he did pick up three strikeouts to end Game 4.
The Boston Red Sox squandered a late lead against the Houston Astros, falling 9-2 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday.
The Red Sox led the Astros 2-1 entering the eighth inning, but Houston tied the game in the top of the eighth and scored seven runs while batting around in the top of the ninth.
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman opened the scoring by hitting a solo home run over the Green Monster in left field in the top of the first inning.
Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, however, answered right back in the bottom of the first with a two-run shot that sailed over the left field wall and out of the ballpark.
Boston second baseman Christian Arroyo hit a one-out triple to right in the bottom of the fourth, but he was stranded at third base.
Bogaerts hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth, but he was also left in scoring position.
Boston starting pitcher Nick Pivetta rebounded from the home run he allowed in the first by keeping Houston off the scoreboard over the next four innings. In five innings of work, Pivetta allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three.
Red Sox relievers Josh Taylor and Adam Ottavino combined to keep the Astros scoreless in the sixth.
Garrett Whitlock threw a scoreless seventh inning for Boston, but he allowed a leadoff homer to Jose Altuve in the eighth, but he was able to escape further damage.
Game 2 starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was called into relief for the Red Sox in the ninth inning. After allowing a leadoff double to Carlos Correa, Eovaldi was able to strike out two batters, but Jason Castro was able to drive in Correa to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.
Manager Alex Cora pulled Eovaldi after he walked Altuve to load the bases. The pitcher he brought in, Martín Pérez, allowed a bases-clearing double to Michael Brantley that gave Houston a 6-2 lead. Yordan Alvarez tacked on another run by driving in Brantley on a single.
In his second at bat of the inning, Correa hit an infield single and an errant throw from Pérez allowed Bregman to score and make it 8-2. Kyle Tucker then drove in Alvarez on a base it to produce the final score.
Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke, who was making his first start since Sept. 19, lasted just 1 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs on one hit and three walks.
Houston's relief pitchers allowed four more walks over the remainder of the game, but limited Boston to just four more hits after Greinke left the game.
Astros closer Ryan Pressly allowed two hits in the bottom of the ninth, but he did pick up three strikeouts to end Game 4.
