The night’s atmosphere was charged from the first pitch, with fans rising to their feet to welcome back Alex Bregman in his return to Houston. Bregman, donning a Red Sox uniform for the first time on his old stomping grounds, wasted no time making his presence felt, launching a two-run homer that soared into the night and momentarily silenced the Astros faithful. Yet, Houston was determined to reclaim the narrative.
The Astros, fresh off a tough sweep in Boston, showed their resilience. Ramón Urías, newly acquired from Baltimore, put on a show with three hits, including a pivotal two-run homer that nearly completed the cycle. Chas McCormick, seeking his first home run of the season, delivered a thunderous shot in the fourth inning, electrifying the crowd and giving Houston breathing room.
Houston’s offense found its rhythm in the middle frames, exploding for three runs in the third, then adding two-run blasts from McCormick and Urías in the fourth and fifth, stretching their lead to 7-2. Carlos Correa, in his first home game after a blockbuster return from the Twins, chipped in with a crucial RBI single, further cementing the Astros’ lead.
On the mound, Cristian Javier made a triumphant return after a 14-month recovery from Tommy John surgery. Despite a rocky first inning where he surrendered two runs, Javier settled in and allowed just one single over the next four frames, earning his first win of the season and reminding fans of his formidable talent.
But the Red Sox, riding high on a nine-game winning streak, refused to go quietly. In the seventh inning, with two outs and hope fading, Abraham Toro and Roman Anthony launched back-to-back home runs, igniting a four-run rally that pulled Boston within a single run. The tension was palpable, every pitch a potential turning point.
In the top of the ninth, Connor Wong doubled with two outs, putting the tying run in scoring position. Houston reliever Bennett Sousa entered the fray and, with the crowd on edge, struck out Roman Anthony to seal the Astros’ heart-pounding victory and notch his fourth save of the season.
Boston’s Garrett Crochet, so dominant all year, endured a rare stumble, allowing five runs over just four innings and taking his first loss since late May. The Red Sox’s valiant rally fell just short, but they proved their mettle as October looms ever closer.
Looking ahead, the series continues as Houston’s right-hander Spencer Arrighetti squares off against Boston’s Dustin May in a matchup that promises more fireworks. With playoff positioning at stake, every at-bat and every pitch will matter.
For Astros fans, this night belonged to Urías and McCormick, but also to the city of Houston, which welcomed back its prodigal son Bregman with both open arms and fierce competition. For the Red Sox, it’s a reminder that no deficit is too great, and that this team, stacked with talent and heart, will be a force down the stretch.
For more on the game and player performances, check the full box score on ESPN and see highlights from AP MLB coverage.