For the first six innings, the Astros’ lineup was, once again, relatively lifeless. Besides a run from Yordan Alvarez’s double play in the first inning, not much happened other than a single here or a walk there. The Red Sox certainly tried to help, hitting Mauricio Dubón or an error to allow Zachary Dezenzo to reach base. But any rally would fizzle about as quickly as it started.
Unfortunately, Ronel Blanco wasn’t his best or most efficient self in Boston. He would need 88 pitches to generate just 12 outs and didn’t have a clean inning. Only ten whiffs on 42 swings and 21 foul balls.