It’s not Houston’s fault, though. Lots of it had to do with Houston’s opponent. The Houston Astros, who needed a victory just to make the playoffs, may have the best manager in the game, but their offense wasn’t good enough. But with a win in Game 162 on Wednesday afternoon, Houston beat Boston and punched its ticket to its first World Series in franchise history.
Al Leiter should be proud. No, wait, maybe not, but congratulations to these OBP guys.
Houston won 8-5, but neither team gave up many chances. Both teams scored three runs in the first and three in the fourth, with a two-run single from Brandon Crawford the first Boston run of the game.
Brad Peacock and Eduardo Rodriguez became each other’s victims. Peacock gave up three runs in two innings, but one of those runs came from a throwing error. Rodriguez gave up three runs in four innings, his shortest outing since being promoted. Eduardo Nunez hit a two-run homer and Andrew Benintendi homered too, but the Red Sox offense was cooled off in the second half, when the teams traded two-run innings.
Benintendi had a tough day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two strikeouts, but it’s all about being the team and clinching a spot in the World Series.
More from Aaron Schatz of Red Sox Notes:
“Why pitch to him?” – LHP Eduardo Rodriguez now a 3-2 man
“Our pitching’s been the hardest thing to figure out as a team all year, especially early in the season.” – Trevor Bauer on what the Diamondbacks’ rotation did to themselves in the postseason
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“This team has been unbelievable all year.” – Aaron Judge to WEEI
Follow Aaron Schatz on Twitter: @A_Schatz
