Correa’s 2-run shot helps Astros over Red Sox 4-2
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
HOUSTON (AP) _ Carlos Correa snapped an 0 for 10 slump with a two-run homer in the first and Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick had an RBI each to help the Houston Astros to a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.
Houston starter Lance McCullers (7-3) allowed four hits and two runs in six innings to help the Astros to the victory in this rematch of last year’s ALDS, which Houston won in four games.
Ken Giles gave up a single to Sandy Leon with two outs in the ninth before walking Jackie Bradley Jr., but Marisnick grabbed a fly ball hit by Blake Swihart to end it and give Giles his 10th save.
The game was tied at 2-all when J.D. Davis singled to start Houston’s fourth. Tim Federowicz hit a ground-rule double with one out before Davis barely beat the throw home to score on a single by Kemp to put Houston up 3-2.
The Red Sox challenged the play but it was upheld. Marisnick followed with a bunt that allowed Federowicz to score and the Astros to push the lead to 4-2.
The victory snapped a three-game winning streak for the Red Sox, who at 39-18 have baseball’s best record.
Boston’s Drew Pomeranz (1-4) allowed six hits and four runs in five innings after failing to pitch longer than four innings in his past three starts.
The Red Sox were without Mookie Betts, who missed his fifth straight game with soreness on his left side, and Dustin Pedroia, who was scratched just before the game with a sore left knee. Pedroia has played just three games this season while recovering from knee surgery in October and is listed as day-to-day.
Alex Bregman walked with one out before Correa’s shot to left field made it 2-0 in the first inning.
McCullers was shaken up in the second inning when he and Rafael Devers had a collision when the pitcher went to cover first base after Devers hit a ground ball.
Devers tripped over the foot of McCullers and went tumbling to the ground in a crash that also sent McCullers falling into the dirt.
Both players got up after a couple of minutes and McCullers remained in the game after a couple of warmup pitches.
Bradley got Boston’s first hit with a double to start the third inning. Andrew Benintendi walked with one out before the double by Xander Bogaerts scored them both to tie it at 2.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Manager Alex Cora doesn’t think Betts will need to go on the disabled list. He said he was doing better on Thursday and thinks he’ll be able to return sometime during this series which ends on Sunday.
Astros: OF Josh Reddick, who is on the disabled list with an infection in his left knee, took early batting practice on Thursday, but isn’t expected to return during this series. Manager A.J. Hinch said Reddick could be back for the start of Tuesday’s series against Seattle, but he could need a few more days to recover. “I like where he’s at,” Hinch said. “I like the fact that he’s starting to do baseball activities … and he sounds like he’s feeling better.”
UP NEXT
Boston’s Chris Sale (5-2, 2.76 ERA) looks to bounce back from his previous start where he allowed a season-high six runs in 4 1/3 innings when he opposes Gerrit Cole (5-1, 2.05) on Saturday night. Cole, who leads the American League with 109 strikeouts, did not factor into the decision in his previous start after the Astros blew the lead late in a 10-9 loss to Cleveland in 14 innings.
Cruz homer sparks Mariners to 6-1 win over Rangers
By DOUG MILLER
SEATTLE (AP) _ Nelson Cruz hit a two-run home run to back another effective start by Wade LeBlanc, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers to a 6-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday night.
Dee Gordon, back from a stay on the 10-day DL caused by a fractured right big toe, led off the game against Rangers starter Mike Minor with a triple and scored on Jean Segura’s sacrifice fly.
Cruz then padded the Mariners’ lead in the third. After Segura hit a one-out double and moved to third on Mitch Haniger’s grounder, Cruz hit his 10th homer of the season to left-center field, a 399-foot shot that gave Seattle a 3-0 cushion.
LeBlanc, the journeyman left-hander filling in for injured Erasmo Ramirez, continued his brilliant early season work, giving up one run and four hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked two.
The only blemish against him was a solo homer by Nomar Mazara, the Rangers’ outfielder’s 13th of the season, which led off the fourth.
James Pazos, Juan Nicasio and Chasen Bradford combined to finish with four scoreless innings.
The Mariners scored twice in the fifth on a throwing error by Texas third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a fielder’s choice by Haniger., and Cruz’s sacrifice fly to make it 5-1.
Ryon Healy added an RBI single in the seventh to cap the scoring.
Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre returned from the disabled list and singled twice to move past Cap Anson for 22nd place on baseball’s all-time hits list with 3,082.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rangers: Manager Jeff Banister said Beltre would split time between DH and third base for the time being. Beltre batted in the cleanup spot on Thursday.
Mariners: With the return of Gordon, the Mariners decided to option infielder Gordon Beckham to Triple-A Tacoma and keep utility man Andrew Romine on the active roster. Manager Scott Servais said Romine’s versatility and experience at more positions in the field gave Romine the nod.
UP NEXT:
Rangers: Texas heads to Anaheim for a weekend series vs. the Angels. Veteran RHP Bartolo Colon (2-2, 3.55 ERA) starts Friday’s game against Angels RHP Jaime Barria (4-1, 2.97 ERA).
Mariners: RHP Mike Leake (5-3, 4.93 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday’s opener for against Tampa Bay RHP Sergio Romo (1-1, 6.33 ERA).