Astros at Red Sox
The Houston Astros struck first in a battle between the last two World Series champions, with one swing doing the bulk of the damage. The Astros will try to clinch a series win and earn their 10th consecutive victory when they visit the Boston Red Sox for the second of a three-game series on Saturday.
Houston could not figure out Rick Porcello through seven innings on Friday, but Jake Marisnick doubled leading off the eighth and George Springer followed with his league-leading 17th home run to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage. The bullpen finished off a 3-1 victory for the Astros as Ryan Pressly set a major league record with his 39th consecutive scoreless appearance in the eighth and Roberto Osuna battled through a shaky ninth for his 11th save. The Red Sox, who entered the series winners of 12 of 15, went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base in the setback. Boston will try to bounce back on Saturday behind right-hander Hector Velazquez while Houston counters with rookie Corbin Martin.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Corbin Martin (1-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (1-2, 3.95)
Martin made his major league debut against Texas on Sunday and yielded two runs on three hits - one homer - and one walk in 5 1/3 innings to earn the win. The 23-year-old struck out nine while throwing 80 pitches and got plenty of help from the offense in a 15-5 victory. Martin posted a 1.48 ERA in five games - four starts - with Triple-A Round Rock while striking out 28 in 24 innings before being recalled.
Velazquez will be making his seventh start among 13 appearances and went a season-high five innings in a win over Seattle on Sunday, allowing two runs on as many hits. The Mexico native has yet to surrender more than three runs in an outing and owns a 4.19 ERA as a starter. Velazquez appeared in two career games - one start - against Houston and tossed a total of five scoreless innings, scattering three hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox RHP Nathan Eovaldi (elbow surgery) played catch on Friday and could throw in the bullpen early next week.
2. Houston INF Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) left Friday's game and is day-to-day.
3. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts went 3-for-4 on Friday and has hit safely in each of the last eight games.