Boston Quick responses after Friday’s Red Sox 2-1 walkoff victory over the Astros at Fenway Park in ten innings:
1) In the tenth inning, runners were at the corners with no outs thanks to a swinging bunt by Ceddanne Rafaela. Then, star youngster Roman Anthony hit a walkoff RBI single over the head of Taylor Trammell, who was in center field. Bennett Sousa, a left-handed reliever for the Astros, delivered it. It was his first walkoff RBI in his career.
It’s incredible. It’s enjoyable. Anthony remarked, “I already want to do it again.”
Trevor Story went on to say, It is impossible to express how poised he is. For him, no moment is too significant. There, he’s simply so serene. He seems to have been there for ten years. Thus, it’s fantastic to witness. He will continue to do that for a very long time.
2) In the top of the tenth inning, with one out and the automatic extra-inning runner at third base, the Red Sox played the infield in. Chas McCormick was hit at the bat by shortstop Trevor Story after Mauricio Dubn grounded to him, tying the score at one.
Greg Weissert, a reliever, got Jeremy Pea to fly out to left field for the last out in a scoreless tenth inning.
3) The Red Sox got better, going 60-51. At Fenway Park, they are 35-21.
4) Righty Cooper Last season, Criswell made 18 starts and recorded a 3.49 ERA. However, he has been well down on Boston’s starting depth chart this season; by on Friday, he had only thrown 10 innings in the major leagues in 2025.
During his time at Triple-A Worcester, where he has recorded a 3.32 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts), Criswell demonstrated to the Red Sox what they have been missing.
In seven innings pitched against the Astros, the 29-year-old struck out four and gave up just one run, seven hits, and two walks.
5) Christian Walker’s 389-foot home drive to left-center field in the second inning gave the Astros a 1-0 lead. Criswell let it be the only run. In the zone, Walker hit a changeup low.
6) In the seventh inning, the Red Sox knotted the score at one. Trevor Story swiped second after drawing a leadoff walk. Masataka Yoshida arrived as a pitch struck him. Story was at third and Yoshida was at second with one out after Carlos Narv ez’s sac bunt. After that, Wilyer Abreu hit a game-winning RBI sac fly to left field.
7) Carlos Correa hit a fly ball that was 383 feet long in the fourth inning, and Jarren Duran made a fantastic leaping catch up against the center field wall.
8) In seven innings, Astros pitcher Hunter Brown struck out six batters while giving up one run, four hits, and one walk.
9) With one out in the ninth inning against Astros closer Josh Hader, Trevor Story singled off the Green Monster. Rob Refsnyder, a pinch hitter, walked to put two men on base.
Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging to force extra innings after hitting two balls down the right field line that just barely went foul with two outs.
10) At 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, the Red Sox and Astros will play the second game of their two-game series. Boston will start righty Walker Buehler (6-6, 5.72 ERA) against lefty Colton Gordon (4-3, 4.74 ERA).
