HOUSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Houston Astros debuted their three additions made at the trade deadline to their home fans on Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.
For an offense that has been compromised by injury for lengthy stretches this season, the results were favorable.
Carlos Correa delivered an RBI single to ignite an uprising against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, and Ramon Urias added a two-run homer that proved to be the difference in a 7-6 win. Jesus Sanchez was used as a pinch hitter in the eighth as Houston flashed the potential of its reinforcements heading into Tuesday’s rematch against Boston.
The Astros remain without Yordan Alvarez (hand) and Jake Meyers (calf), but their breakout against Crochet provided a snapshot of what their lineup could accomplish when fully healthy.
“Yes, and imagine when those guys get back,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Alvarez and Meyers. “But, again, they’re not here, and I give credit to these guys that continue to battle every day. They continue to give quality at-bats, and we’re fighting through this.”
As has been the case for most of this injury-plagued season, the Astros were shorthanded on Monday. All-Star closer Josh Hader had his left shoulder examined pregame in response to discomfort, while setup relievers Bryan King and Bryan Abreu were both unavailable. Their absences forced Espada to mix and match over the final four innings.
“That was kind of fun,” Espada said. “Because I trust this bullpen. These guys have been good for us the entire year, and we need them.”
Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (1-2, 7.43 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Astros on Tuesday.
He made his return from a four-month stint on the injured list (fractured thumb) against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday and allowed five runs on 11 hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings in a 6-4 loss. It marked just the third start of the season for Arrighetti.
Arrighetti made one start against the Red Sox last season as a rookie. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk with a career-high 13 strikeouts in seven innings in a 5-4 win on Aug. 10.
Right-hander Dustin May (6-8, 4.93) has the starting assignment for the Red Sox on Tuesday.
May allowed three runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in his first start for the Red Sox following his trade- deadline acquisition from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He alternated wins and losses over his last six decisions and seven starts with the Dodgers, going 3-3 with a 5.54 ERA in that span.
In his lone career start against the Astros, May allowed one run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings but did not factor into the decision of a 4-2 win on July 29, 2020, while pitching for the Dodgers.
Not only was Correa playing in Houston for the first time since being reacquired him from the Minnesota Twins, but Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman made his return following nine seasons with the Astros. Bregman, who finished 2-for-4 with a home run, reflected on the warm ovation he received from the crowd and how the Red Sox fashioned a late rally to get within a run.
“I feel like we’re playing really good baseball,” Bregman said. “Everyone in here is getting better and better every single game. I think we’re going to be right where we want to be.”
–Field Level Media