Brad Peacock (1-2, 7.50) vs Felix Doubront (2-0, 4.32)
Brad Peacock is not one to be outdone. Coming into this Boston series, he was last among Astros starters in ERA. But Philip Humber (7.99) and Erik Bedard (7.98) vaulted themselves past Peacock the last two nights, so he had some catching up to do. Five runs in less than four innings were enough to do the trick, and enough to send Houston to their third straight defeat in Fenway. Astros lose 8-4 tonight, and drop to 7-17 overall.
On the Mound:
*After 90 pitches and 3+ innings, Brad Peacock's ERA is now 8.44. A four-run 2nd accounted for most of the damage in Peacock's 3.1 IP / 6 H / 5 R / 5 ER / 5 BB / 3 K line.
*Travis Blackley inherited a runner from Peacock, who scored on a sac fly, but Blackley's night ended with 1.2 scoreless.
*Wesley Wright walked two and K'd one in his scoreless 6th.
*Hector Ambriz ended any hopes of a comeback that Houston might have had, allowing 3 R on 4 H and a BB in the 7th.
*Jose Veras was the only Astros hurler to retire the Red Sox 1-2-3 tonight, pitching a perfect 8th.
*Travis Blackley inherited a runner from Peacock, who scored on a sac fly, but Blackley's night ended with 1.2 scoreless.
*Wesley Wright walked two and K'd one in his scoreless 6th.
*Hector Ambriz ended any hopes of a comeback that Houston might have had, allowing 3 R on 4 H and a BB in the 7th.
*Jose Veras was the only Astros hurler to retire the Red Sox 1-2-3 tonight, pitching a perfect 8th.
At the Plate:
*The Astros actually jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st, keyed off by Jose Altuve's leadoff single. Altuve finished 1 for 5 with a R, a RBI, and a K.
*Brandon Barnes was hit by a pitch following Altuve's single, and he scored Houston's second run, finishing 1 for 2 with a BB and a K.
*Marwin Gonzalez was the only multi-hit Astro tonight, going 2 for 4 with a double, a run, a strikeout, and a steal.
*Matt Dominguez had Houston's only other hit, going 1 for 4 with a RBI.
*Ronny Cedeno DH'd and hit 5th tonight - for some reason - but got a RBI on a sac fly, going 0 for 2 with K otherwise.
*Chris Carter earned the ol' golden sombrero tonight, striking out in all four of his at bats, but also earning a RBI on a bases-loaded BB.
*Brandon Barnes was hit by a pitch following Altuve's single, and he scored Houston's second run, finishing 1 for 2 with a BB and a K.
*Marwin Gonzalez was the only multi-hit Astro tonight, going 2 for 4 with a double, a run, a strikeout, and a steal.
*Matt Dominguez had Houston's only other hit, going 1 for 4 with a RBI.
*Ronny Cedeno DH'd and hit 5th tonight - for some reason - but got a RBI on a sac fly, going 0 for 2 with K otherwise.
*Chris Carter earned the ol' golden sombrero tonight, striking out in all four of his at bats, but also earning a RBI on a bases-loaded BB.
Turning Point:
With the score 5-2 Boston going into the 7th, Marwin Gonzalez led off with a single, then moved to second on a passed ball and to third on a steal. Jose Altuve drove him in on a ground out to make it 5-3, then Brandon Barnes followed with a single and Fernando Martinez with a walk. That put the tying runs on base for Houston, but Chris Carter ended the threat with his third of four strikeouts on the night.
Man of the Match:
Marwin Gonzalez. Still hitting .321 through 64 PA.
Goat of the Game:
Brad Peacock. How long until Houston's starting pitching woes reach a crisis point?
