Red Sox
HOUSTON (AP) — Rookie Ceddanne Rafaela hit two doubles with two RBIs and fellow rookie David Hamilton added a solo home run within the ninth inning to guide the Boston Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.
Rafaela's first double against Justin Verlander (3-3) gave Boston a 2-1 lead within the second inning. He scored one other run with a double within the seventh inning with two outs.
“Those two RBIs with two outs were huge for the team,” Rafaela said.
Manager Alex Cora raved in regards to the newcomer.
“He's been hitting well for two months now,” Cora said. “He's able to slow down in the crucial moments. He's doing a lot of good things.”
Hamilton's home run to right field against Seth Martinez made it 4-1 with two outs within the ninth inning.
The Red Sox, who were beaten at home by the AL West-leading Astros earlier this month, won that series after a 6-5 victory on Tuesday night.
They finish an away tour that began with 4 games in Baltimore with a rating of 4-3.
“It says a lot for us as a team,” said Rafaela. “We can compete with the best teams in the game and for me we are one of the best teams.”
Alex Bregman hit his first profession home run as the primary batter in his return to the lineup after missing five games with a swollen right elbow. But the Astros struggled on the plate the remaining of the day, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position after going 0 for 8 on Tuesday.
Bregman was at bat first for under the third time this season, as Jose Altuve had a rare off day.
Verlander allowed 4 hits and two runs with six strikeouts in five innings in his first start since June 9. The 41-year-old, who was out due to neck discomfort, threw 76 pitches after throwing 57 in his second rehab start on Thursday.
“I felt good,” Verlander said. “I felt like the material was pretty good, and as the game went on, the setting got better and better and the mechanics felt good. So I was happy with that.”
Red Sox starter Cooper Criswell allowed 4 hits and one run in 4 2/3 innings. Josh Winckowski (4-1) pitched a scoreless sixth inning to win the sport and Chris Martin struck out within the ninth inning to earn his first save.
The Astros had a likelihood to take the lead within the seventh inning. Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubón hit back-to-back no-out singles in the underside of the seventh inning, and each advanced a base on a wild pitch from Greg Weissert.
Pinch-hitter Jon Singleton struck out before pinch-hitter Trey Cabbage walked to load the bases. Bregman was taken out of the sport by a foul ball caught by Wilyer Abreu in foul territory before Weissert was replaced by Brennan Bernardino.
He struck out Yordan Alvarez with an outdoor throw, ending the threat and causing a frustrated Alvarez to throw away his bat.
Jarren Duran, who hit 4 for 4 on Tuesday night, began with a double before scoring on a one-out single by Triston Casas to offer the Red Sox an early lead.
Connor Wong was on first base with two outs within the second inning when Rafaela hit a double off the wall in left field to place Boston back up 2-1.
Masataka Yoshida led off the seventh with a single and stole second base with one out. There were two outs within the inning when Rafaela hit a line drive into the left field corner for a double, scoring Yoshida and making it 3-1.
TRAINING ROOM
Astros: Martinez was sent all the way down to Triple-A Sugar Land after Tuesday night's game to make room for Verlander on the roster, but he was recalled before Wednesday's game after RHP Kaleb Ort was placed on the paternity list.
Next
Red Sox: Boston has Thursday off and has not yet announced its lineup for the three-game series against the Diamondbacks that begins Friday night.
Astros: Houston has not yet announced its rotation for a four-game series that begins Thursday night in Baltimore.
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