The Houston Astros quieted the Boston bats for a second straight day, and again used a big inning with five runs in the sixth on Wednesday evening en route to a 9-1 win in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park. Houston now leads the best of seven 3-2, with the series shifting back to Texas for Game 6 and possible Game 7.
Houston starting pitcher Framber Valdez was the huge story in this one, as he only allowed one run in 8.0 innings as the Astros have held Boston to just that lone run over the last 17 innings played. The guests broke a scoreless tie off Chris Sale in the top of the second when Yordan Alvarez led off and took the first pitch deep over the monster in left for a 1-0 lead. Things went from bad to worse for the Sox in the sixth inning. Jose Altuve led off with a walk, and then Michael Brantley reached on an error by Kyle Schwarber when he couldn’t handle a catchable ball on a throw by Rafael Devers. Alex Bregman then grounded out to Sale to put runners on second and third, before Alvarez hit a two-run double down the left field line to make it 3-0. Ryan Brasier then came on to end the day for Sale and struckout Carlos Correa swinging. Kyle Tucker followed with an infield single, Yuli Gurriel doubled, and Jose Siri hit a two-run single to right to blow it open to a 6-0 advantage. Brantley added on an RBI single in the seventh, and Boston got their only run when Devers hit a one out solo homerun in the bottom half. Gurriel capped off the scoring with a two-run single in the ninth. Houston who is in their fifth straight ALCS look to win their third pennant in that span and return to the World Series for the first time since 2019.
Sale (0-1) was charged with four runs (two earned) on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings in taking the loss. Devers had two of the three hits on the night for Boston, who has been held to just the one run on seven hits since the first inning of Game 4. Valdez (1-0), who allowed two earned runs in just 2.2 innings in Game 1, was sensational in the victory allowing just one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Alvarez and Gurriel both had three hits, while Brantley had two. Game 6 is scheduled for an 8:08 p.m. first pitch at Minute Maid Park on Friday night.
