The Boston Red Sox season came to a bitter abrupt end at Fenway Park with a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the ALDS.
Early on in the game, the Sox looked as though they would come out with a win and take the Astros back to Texas for Game 5. In the later innings, however, the team was unable to produce and keep the Astros off the board.
The Sox had the lead coming into the eighth, until Astros’ third baseman Alex Bregman smashed a home run over the Green Monster to tie the game 3-3. Five batters later, Josh Reddick’s two-out single drove in Cameron Maybin for the Astros to take the lead 4-3.
The Sox were unable to cut the deficit with a scoreless eighth inning.
With Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel on the mound, the Astros added another run in the ninth off a double from Carlos Beltran to make it 5-3.
For the final run of the game and the season, Red Sox rookie Rafael Devers contributed an inside-the-park home run to cut the score to 5-4. Shortly after, the Sox’ season came to an unfortunate end as Astros’ closer Ken Giles threw out Dustin Pedroia on a grounder to first base.
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner and starting pitcher Rick Porcello didn’t exactly have the strongest finish to the 2017 season. In his last five starts, he posted a 5.93 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, which was enough to have Red Sox fans a little nervous heading into Game 4.
To start off the game, Porcello gave up a lead-off double from George Springer. Springer then advanced to third, off a wild pitch to Josh Reddick. Jose Altuve grounded in a double play that brought the team to a quick 1-0 lead.
The lead didn’t last for long. Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts smashed a solo shot to right center, to tie the game at 1-1.
Porcello allowed one run and three hits in the second inning. Yuli Gurriel opened up the inning with a line drive triple to right field, just past Mookie Betts. In his second at bat of the night, Springer hit a single deep left, sending Gurriel home to make it 2-1.
The Sox were unable to score with bases loaded and two outs in the second inning. Jackie Bradley Jr. and Pedroia each struck out on questionable strike calls on the corners. Manager John Farrell was then ejected from the game when he rushed to defend Pedroia, who was arguing with the home plate umpire regarding the strike zone.
The Astros were able to hold the lead through the third inning, with scoreless performances on both sides.
The Sox brought out ace Chris Sale in the fourth, relieving Porcello after giving up 2 runs in 3 innings. Sale, despite a subpar performance in Game 1, exceeded expectations and only allowed 2 hits and no runs through the next four innings.
Astros’ ace Justin Verlander came out of the dugout for his first career relief appearance in the fifth to counter the Sox bringing out Chris Sale. Verlander entered the game with one out and a runner on first.
The Sox greeted Verlander with a two-run homer from Andrew Benintendi. The smash to right field sent Bogaerts home, giving Boston the lead and elevating the score to 3-2.
The game began to go south for the Sox at the start of the eighth. In the end, the team was not able to overpower the Astros, who walked away with a 5-4 win.
The game secured the Astros’ spot in the ALCS and they will play the winner of the Indians-Yankees series in Game 1 on Friday.
