In a thrilling Friday night showdown at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox snapped their two-game skid with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros, powered by Jarren Duran's clutch three-run homer and a memorable major league debut from pitcher Jake Bennett.
Making his big-league debut, the 25-year-old left-hander Bennett (1-0) looked every bit the part, surrendering just one run on five hits over five innings while striking out three and walking two. His first career strikeout came in style, fanning slugger Yordan Alvarez in the opening frame. Called up from Triple-A Worcester, Bennett's composed performance earned him the win in front of the Fenway faithful.
The game's decisive moment came in the third inning. After Astros shortstop Carlos Correa launched a solo homer into the Green Monster seats to put Houston up 1-0, Duran answered immediately in the bottom half. The Red Sox outfielder crushed a three-run blast over Boston's bullpen, turning a one-run deficit into a 2-1 lead that would hold for the rest of the night. Correa finished with three hits for Houston, which has now lost five of its last seven.
Designated hitter Roman Anthony, who had been struggling at the plate with a .208 average entering the game, provided a spark with three hits for Boston. The Red Sox had just wrapped up a 3-3 road trip, dropping the final two games before returning home.
Interim manager Chad Tracy, who took over after Alex Cora was fired last weekend, earned his first win at Fenway Park. The bullpen held strong, with Aroldis Chapman closing things out in the ninth for his sixth save of the season and the 373rd of his career.
Astros starter Mike Burrows (1-4) took the loss despite a solid outing, allowing eight hits and three runs over six innings. Interestingly, Houston had swept Boston in a three-game series at Minute Maid Park during the first week of the season, making this win a bit sweeter for the Red Sox.
Off the field, fans made their voices heard as a small plane circled Fenway during batting practice, towing a banner calling for the dismissal of chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and urging owner John Henry to sell the team. The drama continues Saturday when Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (3-0, 2.00 ERA) faces Red Sox lefty Connelly Early (2-1, 2.84) in the middle game of this three-game set.