Red Sox Wrap: Astros’ Seventh-Inning Rally Topples Boston

BOSTON — The Red Sox bullpen unraveled in the seventh inning as the Houston Astros rallied past Boston for an 8-4 win Friday night at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox dropped to 61-53 on the season while the Astros improved to 60-55.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
There were more concerns about the Red Sox starting rotation than their bullpen coming off a six-game road trip in which they took series from the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

But it was Boston’s bullpen that let it down in the series opener against the Astros.

Tanner Houck didn’t return to his All-Star form, but even though he wasn’t his sharpest, he battled through his outing to deliver a quality start. But it went to waste almost immediately after he left the game.

The Astros tagged deadline addition Lucas Sims along with Zack Kelly for four runs in the top of the seventh to turn a two-run deficit into a two-run lead. At one point, Houston turned in six consecutive hits as they battered Sims and Kelly around. The Astros ended up scoring seven runs off Red Sox relievers.

It felt like the bullpen had stabilized for the Red Sox with Sims and Luis García joining the mix along with the return of Chris Martin. Sims hadn’t allowed a run, let alone a hit, in his first three appearances with the Red Sox, but obviously struggled mightily against the Astros.

Unlike Boston, Houston’s bullpen got the job done, even if it was a high-wire act. Houston got into trouble when the Red Sox loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and Rafael Devers at the plate. But Tayler Scott punched out Devers on three pitches to come away unscathed.

Boston put the tying runs on base an inning later, but again couldn’t get them home. The Red Sox finished 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base to add to their bullpen woes.

STARS OF THE GAME
— José Altuve sparked Houston’s rally with one swing of his bat. Altuve crushed a two-run home run into the Green Monster seats off Sims to level the score at 3-3. The round-tripper pushed Altuve into sole possession of fourth place on Houston’s all-time home run list

— David Hamilton gave the Red Sox the lead in the bottom of the second inning when he lined a two-out, two-run double into the left-center field gap. He finished the contest 1-for-2 before being pinch hit for by Romy Gonzalez in the seventh.

— Houck did enough to get the win. He tossed six innings in which he let up one run on four hits to go along with three walks and one strikeout. He threw 51 of his 82 pitches for strikes.

ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox and Astros battle again Saturday from Fenway Park. Boston has yet to name a starter for the game with it skipping Nick Pivetta’s spot in the rotation. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.