Four Real? Red Sox vs Astros 8-5-13

'Stros blank Sox? That just happened!

Monday night's Astros-Red Sox game was a pitcher's duel that went in favor of Houston's Brett Oberholtzer, who pitched seven innings of four hit ball for his second career win. Credit must also be given to John Lackey, the hard luck loser who went six plus innings and struck out ten. The Red Sox struggled offensively against the worst team in baseball, and could not even get a runner to third base until Jonny Gomes reached in the seventh. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) Live by the steal, die by the steal. In the fourth inning of a 0-0 game, Houston decided to take fate into their own hands and start stealing bases. Jose Altuve leads off the inning with an infield single to third, then takes second on a steal. Jason Castro then walks and Houston has something doing in the inning. Altuve breaks for third with Brett Wallace up, but Jarrod Saltalamacchia guns him for the out, and then Lackey strikes out Wallace to end the threat. 0-0.

2) Wheels get Runs. In the fifth inning, Houston again let's their young players run, and they create a run to take the lead. L.J. Hoes singles to right field, then steals second. Robbie Grossman singles to right field to plate Hoes and give the Astros the 1-0 lead.

3) Thou Must Capitalize on Thy Chances. In the seventh inning of a close game, Boston leads off the inning with a Jonny Gomes double in the left field gap. Oberholtzer then settles down, and gets the next three men in order, getting Salty to fly to right, and striking out Stephen Drew and Brandon Snyder.

4) This Hoes worth the money! In the bottom of the seventh inning, Houston tacks on an insurance run and doubles their lead. Hoes leads off with a double, then Jonathan Villar bunts his way on to put men on the corners with no outs. Lackey's night is now over, and Junichi Tazawa toes the rubber to keep the game close. Unfortnately, Brandon Barnes succeeds in the suicide squeeze to plate Hoes and put the 'Stros up 2-0. Tazawa gets three outs in a row in relief, but Houston still finds a way to score.

The game ended with Josh Fields striking out four Red Sox in a row, and this was just not the night for Boston. Tuesday night they try again when Boston starter Stephen Wright faces Jordan Lyles at 8:10 EST in Houston.

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