Red Sox 7, Astros 3

 

In his last start prior to yesterday's game, Astros' pitcher Colton Gordon gave up two first-inning home runs. Yesterday, facing Boston, he continued that trend and gave up another homer in the first, this time to  Romy González. As long as he was at it, he gave up another home run to Story in the third and to Toro in the fourth. Red Sox starter Buehler wasn't overpowering and we went through six relievers, but we managed to limit Houston's potent offense to three runs and won the game, 7-3. That's back-to-back wins over the mighty Astros, fourth straight win overall, and seven of the last ten. 

As a result, the Red Sox passed the Yankees in the AL East standings. We're now in second place, four back from those pesky Jays and a half game ahead of New York. We're also currently in the top spot in the Wild Card standings, two games over the cut-off line.  It's a great time to be alive, boys and girls.

Hot-headed Astros reliever Héctor Neris yelled at the Red Sox dugout and third-base coach Kyle Hudson at the end of the seventh for some reason. Both benches and bullpens cleared as everyone rushed the field but order was quickly restored. That was fun. Also, Neris gave up back-to-back doubles to Refsnyder and Story that inning and advanced Story on a balk, so the guy's obviously a hack (his ERA's .600). Houston's the third team he's pitched for this season alone, and the Astros previously traded him away twice before this current tour of duty.

The Sox will go for the sweep this afternoon, starting Giolito (7-2, 3.60) against Framber Valdez (11-4, 2.62). The game's already begun (I slept in late today) and the Sox already have a 6-1 lead.