Christian Arroyo hit a second inning three-run homerun, and Boston starting pitcher Martin Perez did the rest on Thursday afternoon as the Red Sox salvaged the final game of a four game series with a 5-1 win at Minute Maid Park over the Houston Astros.
Boston (33-23) got all they need in that second inning off Houston starter Jake Odorizzi. Rafael Devers led off with a double to center, and then Hunter Renfoe walked. Arroyo then turned around a 3-2 pitch, and hit it into the seats in left to make it 3-0. It was the first homer of the season for Arroyo. They added insurance in the seventh inning. Alex Verdugo walked, and then JD Martinez doubled. Xander Bogaerts followed that with double of his own to score Verdugo and Martinez and make it 5-0. Houston (31-25) spoiled the shutout bid with one out in the ninth when Yuriel Gurriel hit a solo homer off Brandon Workman.
Perez (4-2) allowed no runs on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts in his best start of the season over 7.2 innings. Martinez and Bogaerts both had two hits. Odorizzi (0-3) allowed three runs on four hits in just 3.0 innings of work. Gurriel had three hits, as the Astros ending up taking three of the four games. Boston now heads to Yankee Stadium where they’ll face their nemesis the New York Yankees for the first time this season on Friday night to open up a three game series. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 4.01 ERA) is scheduled on the mound for the Sox, against RHP Michael King (0-2, 2.86) for the Yankees.
