Oct 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits a two-run home run during the first inning in game two of the 2017 ALDS playoff baseball series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Photo Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — Carlos Correa bashed a two-run homer in the first inning and slugged a two-out, two-run double in the sixth as the Houston Astros rolled to an 8-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Friday at Minute Maid Park in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.
Correa finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored as the Astros secured a 2-0 series lead with Game 3 set for Fenway Park in Boston on Sunday.
The Red Sox were determined to not let All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve beat them like he did in the series opener. They tried their luck with Correa, intentionally walking Altuve twice to face Correa with a runner in scoring position.
That strategy paid dividends when Boston left-hander David Price induced Correa to pop out with George Springer on second base and Altuve on first to end the fourth inning. When Boston tried the gambit two innings later, this time with Addison Reed on the mound, Correa pounced.
Correa drove home Springer and Altuve by lining the first pitch from Reed to left field and scored on the ensuing pitch when Evan Gattis followed with an RBI single. Houston plated four runs in the frame to double its output, end the suspense, and seize control of the series.
Altuve finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and an RBI single that chased Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz (0-1) in the third. Altuve scored when Correa drilled his home run in the first inning.
Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (1-0) survived a 33-pitch second inning and pitched into the sixth, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. He surrendered an RBI single to Jackie Bradley Jr. that cut the Houston lead to 2-1 in the second before rallying to retire 13 consecutive batters. Keuchel departed following his two-out walk to Hanley Ramirez.
Springer clubbed an opposite-field home run off Pomeranz leading off the third inning, the Astros’ sixth homer of the series. Pomeranz surrendered four runs on five hits and one walk.
NOTES: Major League Baseball approved a roster substitution for the Red Sox due to 3B Eduardo Nunez aggravating his right knee injury in Game 1. Nunez has been replaced on the ALDS roster by OF Chris Young and is ineligible to return for the ALCS should the Red Sox advance. However, Nunez could participate in the World Series if Boston wins the pennant. … Astros manager A.J. Hinch has yet to name a starter for Game 3. RHPs Lance McCullers, Charlie Morton and Brad Peacock are the candidates. … Red Sox LHP David Price made his seventh career postseason relief appearance, but just his second since 2010, when he entered with one out in the third inning. His first five postseason outings, all in 2008 with Tampa Bay, were out of the bullpen.
