Despite winning multiple challenges, good Sox defense, Masa’s insane hitting, AND four Astros errors…the bullpen let us down.
Context
What to expect in this game? The Red Sox were supposed to try to make up some ground in the Wild Card race and show they’ve got what it takes in the second half. Rafael Devers was attempting to hit home run #200. And we say hello to old friend Mauricio Dubón.
Game Action
Jarren Duran tried to work his way back into my good graces by starting things off with a home run on the first pitch. The Red Sox scored again after a couple of singles and a fielder’s choice.
Although the Astros had already committed two infield errors before the second inning was over, neither led to a scoring opportunity.
A challenge by the Sox on the tag at home plate in the fourth took an Astros run off the board, but just as quickly, the Astros added two to tie it up. It was a dramatic few minutes for Danny Jansen. On the overturned play, the Astros runner seemed to get underneath him. In the next sequence, he fielded a throw from Tyler O’Neill that was too far up the third base line, then fired off his own throw to first that got by Gonzalez, which he probably shouldn’t have attempted at all. He was charged with the error in what was essentially the lone mismanaged play by the Sox defense. I don’t often get to say that so here it is again: the Sox played quite good defense and there were some real gems by Romy Gonzalez in particular.
The Astros committed another error which prolonged the fifth inning, and while the Sox threatened by getting a runner to third, they ultimately couldn’t capitalize.
Houck’s sixth strikeout of the night made Mauricio Dubón flail worse than the most tentative piñata swing you’ve ever seen. The booth later commented that he “seems like he’s afraid of the ball!” and that was fun. I wish I could find a video of it for you, but I struck out on that, or it would’ve been in contention for my Play of the Game.
Great defensive play by Romy Gonzalez to save a run and end the fifth inning. He had a pretty big night. Gonzalez reached first in the top of the sixth when Jose Altuve’s high throw brought the Astros first baseman up in the air but he didn’t land on the bag. He did remember to step on it eventually, but not until after Gonzalez ran past. It was comical. The Astros challenged the call but to no avail, and the error went to Altuve. That was fun.
With a pitching change, Masataka Yoshida came into the game and hit a contested home run. He didn’t realize it himself, stopping at second to remove his batting gear, but the umpire waved him around. This review went all the way to New York, but it was indeed a homer—if only in this park—but who cares! Yoshida continues to impress. Gonzalez, who’d reached on the earlier error, also scored, the first time the Red Sox made the Astros pay for the night’s sloppy defense. A camera close-up caught Yoshida smiling a little to himself in the dugout (immediately post-HR) and when realized he was being watched, he bashfully ducked. Sweet moment that proves his torrid hitting hasn’t gone to his head.
The Astros scored again on a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to make it 4-3.
More sloppy play by the Astros in the bottom of the seventh: Yainer Diaz called a second timeout in order to argue the previous call, earning himself an automatic strike, and he already had two. Bye! The Astros’ heads weren’t in the game tonight. There were two runners on, and Chris Martin got another K to get out of the jam (with thanks to the Astros for their help).
Lucas Sims didn’t impress, as he walked the lead-off man and eventually allowed the tying run. He was temporarily saved by a brilliant bare-handed catch that Gonzalez took from Ceddanne Rafaela, then turned the double play, but Sims surrounded that with two singles and two walks in the inning. He did strike out Altuve at a key moment, thankfully, so there’s that.
We went into the bottom of the ninth tied. Kenley came in to try to build the bridge into extra innings. We didn’t make it, folks: Diaz hit a walk-off homer against Kenley in their first-ever match-up.
Somehow, that didn’t feel like the ending this game deserved. Blame our bullpen for not following the script.
Studs
Gonzalez
Had a good night! He managed just one hit but reached base in all but one of his at-bats. He showed up the Astros, and specifically Altuve, when the first baseman didn’t step on the bag. He scored a run, and turned two great plays in the infield.
Houck
8K (he hasn’t had this many since early June), his sweeper was on with great movement and location down and away, 2 ER, 0BB
Martin
Did what we needed him to do, which was to escape the jam in the seventh. 2H, 3K, 0BB, no runs.
Yoshida
Fantastic pinch hit HR. 7G hitting streak during which he’s hitting .632.
Duds
Bullpen (except Chris Martin)
To wit: Lucas Sims: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1K, blown save, fell behind every hitter. Kenley Jansen: that’s all she wrote because we know what happened.
NESN Broadcast Booth
The only thing less appealing than hearing them discuss how many times they get up in the night to “go potty” would be another homophobic slur from Jarren Duran. Please.
Triston Casas
0-4, 3K, lost a foul ball at the last second. He’s allowed to shake off the rust.
Play of the Game
Of course, the walk-off HR allowed by Kenley was the true play of the game, but we’re not going to wallow in that. Moving on to happier moments! I loved Masa’s home run, but I’d like to celebrate Romy Gonzalez and the defense this time because lord knows I’m there to criticize when it lacks polish. Please admire this slide, snatch, and off-balance throw.