Framber Valdez lost his perfect game in the fifth inning and then bounced the next pitch off the batter's leg.Astros manager Dusty Baker headed for the mound. "It was surprising more than anything," Valdez said, noting that a visit from the manager usually means his night is over. "The first thing I did was look back to the bullpen to see if anyone was out there. I saw nobody was there."He just came out and told me ... 'You know what you're doing out here, so just breathe,'" Valdez said. "He gave me the confidence to get out of the inning."And much more than that.Perfect through four, the Houston left-hander took a two-hit shutout into the seventh and became the first pitcher this postseason to complete eight innings, leading the Astros over Boston 9-1 on Wednesday for a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series.Yordan Alvarez had three hits and three RBIs for Houston, which could clinch a second trip to the World Series in three years with a victory at home on Friday night. The Red Sox need a win to force a deciding seventh game on Saturday."We came back to Boston exactly where we wanted to be: We were 1-1," Red Sox starter Chris Sale said. "Not in a good spot going back to Houston. There's no denying that, but this team has won two games in the playoffs back-to-back before, and we think we can do it again." One day after the Astros scored seven runs to break a ninth-inning tie, they hung another crooked number on the Fenway Park scoreboard, chasing Sale while scoring five runs in the sixth. Alvarez, who homered in the second and singled in the fourth, had a two-run double to break things open.That was plenty for Valdez, who extended the staff's shutout streak to 14 straight innings before Rafael Devers homered with one out in the seventh — one of just three Boston hits. Video: Red Sox fan catches piece of Rafael Devers' broken bat with bare hand during ALCS Game 5 at FenwayValdez departed after retiring the Red Sox in order in the eighth — completing three full turns through the Boston lineup, a dramatic break from the prevailing baseball wisdom."It makes me feel great" to show that starters can still have that kind of impact on a game, Baker said. "Today, it was in the hands of Framber," he said. "This was in this hands of Framber, and, really, in the hands of Alvarez."In all, Valdez gave up one run on three hits, one walk and a hit batter, striking out five. He was also the first opposing pitcher to last eight innings in a postseason start at Fenway since Cleveland's Charles Nagy went eight in the 1998 Division Series.Ryne Stanek pitched a perfect ninth while the rest of Houston's relievers rested. Astros starters had not lasted three innings all series, pitching to a 18.90 ERA in the first four games and giving up 10 homers — including a record three grand slams. Valdez was not much better, allowing two earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in Game 1. "I didn't get frustrated at all. I wasn't down on myself," Valdez said. "I just worked the entire time and I had my mindset set that I was just going to come out and have a way better outing. And that's what I was able to do tonight." Valdez retired the first 12 batters on Wednesday — eight on grounders, four on strikeouts. Devers singled to lead off the fifth, then Valdez bounced the next pitch off J.D. Martinez's leg. The Astros escaped when Hunter Renfroe grounded into a double play and Alex Verdugo bounced out to first."Everybody knew he had a no-hitter, and then they get a hit, and then he hits the batter," Baker said. "That's the time that you've really got to settle him down and just take the air out the ball, because the crowd was about to get into it. And he threw up a double-play pitch and then he went back to dealing again."Sale started almost as well, allowing just two hits — both to Alvarez — in his first five innings. But he walked Jose Altuve to start the sixth, then Michael Brantley nubbed one toward third. Devers fielded it and made the throw in time but Schwarber dropped it at first; after sliding into second, Altuve popped up and took off for third, which was uncovered.Video: ALCS in Boston means big business for Fenway businessesBrantley moved up to second on a groundout to the pitcher, then Alvarez doubled to left, scoring two to make it 3-0 and chasing Sale. Ryan Brasier struck out Carlos Correa before giving up an RBI double to Yuli Gurriel and a two-run single to Jose Siri that made it 6-0.Brantley added an RBI single in the seventh, and Gurriel singled in two more in the ninth.Sale was charged with four runs — two earned — on three hits and two walks, striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings."I was good for five, and then I sucked for one," he said. "I told myself coming into this game I had a job to do; obviously didn't get it done. But I left (it all) out there on that mound tonight, that's for damn sure."The Red Sox had won seven straight postseason games at home — dating to the 2018 ALCS — before blowing an eighth-inning lead on Tuesday night. They had never lost back-to-back postseason games under manager Alex Cora.

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.

Robert F. Bukaty

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.

Charles Krupa

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.

Robert F. Bukaty

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.

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Carlos Correa paused a few seconds at the plate and tapped the spot on his wrist where a watch would be.“It’s my time!” the Houston Astros star screamed.That it is.And if his time with the Astros runs out at the end of this season, the star shortstop sure is making this an October to remember.Correa hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, hollering toward his dugout before beginning his trot around the bases and propelling the Astros over the Boston Red Sox 5-4 Friday night in the AL Championship Series opener.“When the playoffs start, (my teammates) always tell me: ‘It’s your time. Now to go out there, hit homers,'" Correa said. “They told me to hit the watch when I hit the homer."Correa teamed with Jose Altuve to do just enough to overcome the heroics of Kiké Hernández, who starred with his bat and glove for the wild-card Red Sox.“I’ve been watching them for years, and it’s a pleasure to be watching them up close and personal," manager Dusty Baker said. “And, boy, they are some clutch guys."Altuve tied the game with a two-run shot in the sixth before Correa connected off losing pitcher Hansel Robles with two outs in the seventh to put the Astros ahead 4-3.Correa, who has been with the Astros since being selected first overall in 2012, becomes a free agent at season’s end and it seems likely that he won’t remain in Houston.Correa has a history of big hits for Houston that includes 18 postseason home runs, several of them in key, late situations.“Playoff time, baby,” Correa said.“We want to be in the spotlight,” he said. “We want to be in the moment.”He had three hits, and his performance gave him 55 postseason RBIs, passing Albert Pujols for the most among active MLB players.Hernández, who won a World Series with the Dodgers last year, homered twice among his four hits and likely saved multiple runs with two terrific catches.His second homer came off closer Ryan Pressly to start the ninth and cut the lead to 5-4. But Pressly retired the next three batters to get the save."It would have been a lot cooler if we won the game," Hernández said.Game 2 is Saturday in Houston.Ahead 4-3, the Astros loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth when Hirokazu Sawamura plunked Martín Maldonado. Houston added some insurance when Yuli Gurriel slid in just before the tag to score on a sacrifice fly by Altuve that made it 5-3, beating a terrific throw by Hernandez.Hernández has been red hot for the Red Sox this October, with 13 hits in his last four games to set an MLB record for most hits in a four-game span in one postseason. He passed Billy Hatcher (1999), Marquis Grissom (1995), Hideki Matsui (2004) and Randy Arozarena (2020), who all had 11.“Enrique is en fuego,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.Chas McCormick singled with one out in the sixth before Altuve became the fourth player in MLB history to hit at least 20 postseason homers with his shot to left-center off Tanner Houck that tied it at 3.Hernández opened a three-run third with his soaring homer to center field to tie it at 1-all.Xander Bogaerts walked with one out and Rafael Devers singled. J.D. Martinez hit a grounder to Altuve for what should have been a routine play. But the ball grazed the second baseman's glove and rolled between his legs for an error that allowed Martinez to reach and Bogaerts to score to put Boston up 2-1.Hunter Renfroe then hit an RBI double to left field to extend it to 3-1 before Houston's two brightest stars came through late.“Experience matters,” Correa said.Altuve and Correa, connecting again for a team trying to reach the World Series for the second time in three years. The Astros also won the championship in 2017, a crown tainted by the team's sign-stealing scandal.Both teams leaned heavily on their bullpens after both Boston starter Chris Sale and Houston’s Framber Valdez were chased in the third.Ryne Stanek got the last out of the seventh for the win.Sale, who was tagged for five runs in one inning in his previous start against Tampa Bay in the AL Division Series, permitted five hits and a run in 2 2/3 innings Friday. Valdez gave up six hits and three runs — two earned — while also getting just eight outs.“Everything as a whole clicked a little bit better tonight. My command was spotty at times, but when I really needed it, I could bear down and grab what I’ve been looking for," Sale said.The Astros led 1-0 after Altuve scored on a sacrifice fly by Yordan Alvarez in the first.For the next few innings it looked like it wouldn't be the Astros' night.Houston loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Altuve struck out before Sale escaped the jam with a huge assist from Hernández in center field. Hernández, whose MLB debut came when he subbed for Altuve late in a game in 2014, sprinted to rob Michael Brantley with a diving catch in shallow center to end the inning.The Astros had runners at first and second with two outs in the fifth when Hernández struck again. He made a back-handed grab in right-center on a ball hit by Kyle Tucker to leave them empty-handed once more.Hernández even seemed surprised he made the grab, contorting his face into a shocked look after the ball hit his glove.Hernández said the fly flew like a knuckleball.“Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, they’ve got nothing on that ball," he said.UP NEXTBoston’s Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will have a homecoming of sorts Saturday when he starts opposite rookie Luis Garcia (0-0, 16.88). Eovaldi grew up in the Houston suburb of Alvin, also home to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, and visited the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park often growing up.“It’s definitely one of my favorite ballparks to pitch in,” Eovaldi said.Saturday will be his third start this postseason. He struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings and got the win in the wild-card victory over the Yankees. He also started Game 3 of the ALDS but did not factor in the decision in a 6-4 Red Sox win.Garcia struggled in a Game 3 start in the division series, permitting five runs in just 2 2/3 innings of a 12-6 loss.