Red Sox Win Offensive Showdown

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Houston Astros in the fourth game of the AL Championship Series. It was Nail-bitter at Minute Maid Park.

A Wild Start At Houston

Charlie Morton and Rick Porcello clashed on the mound for game of the AL Championship Series.

The Red Sox came in firing since the very beginning of the ballgame. Mookie Betts hit a single off Morton to open up the ballgame. J.D Martinez worked out a walk an out later and Boston was ready to strike. Rafael Devers hit an RBI single to put his team up by two in the first. Rick Porcello preserved the lead in the wild  bottom frame of the inning. He hanged the zero despite giving a single to George Springer, hitting Marwin Gonzalez and interference by an Astros’ fan.

The Astros got a run back as Josh Reddick hit a double that was followed by an RBI single by Jose Altuve. The score was 2-1 after two innings of play. Offense did not stop there as Andrew Benintendi hit double to open up the third, A wild pitch by Morton allowed Benintendi to reach third base. Xander Bogaerts hit an RBI double to bring Benintendi home. The Red Sox were up by two as the score was 3-1. once again, the Astros answered right back with a solo home run by George Springer. Reddick hit an RBI single to bring Jose Altuve home, tying the score at three. It was an offensive showdown through the first third of the ballgame.

Eye For An Eye

Josh James hanged the zero in the top of the fourth after Jackie Bradley Jr. was caught stealing to end the top frame. The Astro offense showed no signs of stopping as Tony Kemp hit a solo home run to put Houston up by a run, 4-3. Once again, the Red Sox got that run back immediately. Bogaerts hit a single at the top of the fifth for his second RBI of the game. The score was tied once again at four runs a piece. Joe Kelly came in from the bullpen replacing Porcello to begin the bottom of the fifth.

Kelly gave up a single to Yuli Gurriel with one out in the inning. A wild pitch by Kelly allowed Gurriel to reach second. Minute later, Carlos Correa singled to bring Gurriel home and give Houston the lead once again. The score was 5-4 after five innings James was still out there on the mound for the top of the sixth. He gave up a double to Christian Vazquez with two outs in the inning. Bradley Jr. followed that with a two run homer to give Boston the lead once again. 6-5 was the score.

Red Sox Win It On Dramtic Finish

Ryan Pressly took over the mound took charge of the mound to begin the seventh for the Astros. He struggled in his outing as he loaded the bases with a single and couple of walks. He was substituted by Lance McCullers Jr. who gave up one more walk to Brock Holt to bring home a run for Boston. The Red Sox were now up by two as the score was 7-5. Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier kept Houston in check in the bottom of the seventh. Betts singled with one out in the top of the eighth. He later reached second on a wild pitch. Martinez singled to bring Betts home and widen Boston’s lead. Their were now up by three, 8-5.

Craig Kimbrell came into the ballgame to pitch for Boston in the bottom of the eighth. He was welcomed into the game with a single by Kemp. Kimbrell followed that up with a hit by pitch to Alex Bregman.  Springer then doubled to put himself and Bregman on scoring position. Kimbrell’s got Altuve to hit a groundout for the second out of the inning. Nonetheless, a run came in to score and the lead was shortened to 8-6. Houston’s rally died as MArwin Gonzalez struck out to end the frame.

🗣 BENNY. IS. ALWAYS. THERE. #DoDamage pic.twitter.com/FISRGPffJn

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) October 18, 2018

Houston had one last chance to come back once again in the ninth inning. Kimbrell was still on the mound trying to end the ballgame. Kimbrell struggled after getting the first man out as he gave up two consecutive walks.The former Braves pitcher gave another walk to load up the bases with two men out. The game ended the with a spectacular diving catch by Benintendi on left field. Boston has taken a 3-1 series lead.

Final Score: Red Sox 8- Astros 6

Where To Watch

Game five of the ALCS is this Thursday. It is now or never for the Astros as the Red Sox could win the series on the road. Game starts at 8:09 PM E.T on TBS.