August 19, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Rob Refsnyder (30) is tagged out by Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini (17) while playing at the plate during the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Yainer Diaz hit the first walk-off home run of his career with one out in the ninth inning, helping the Houston Astros overcome an error-plagued performance and win 5-4 over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Monday.
Diaz launched a first-pitch cutter from Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (3-2) 401 feet to left-center field. It was the 14th home run of the season for Diaz and a winner for Astros closer Josh Hader (6-6), who did a masterful job in the top of the ninth.
The Astros came back from a 4–2 deficit thanks to John Singleton’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning and Mauricio Dubon’s RBI single in the eighth. The latter hit scored Chas McCormick, who singled and swiped second base while batting in the same order as Singleton.
Boston’s Masataka Yoshida broke a 2–2 deadlock with a two-run pinch-hit homer in the top of the sixth.
Yoshida greeted Astros reliever Taylor Scott with an opposite-field blast into the left field seats above the out-of-town scoreboard. His ninth home run came off Romy Gonzalez, who reached on a throwing error by second baseman Jose Altuve, leading off the frame. Yoshida pinch-hit for Connor Wong, who was 0-for-2 with a strikeout against Astros left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.
Kikuchi left the field after consecutive strikeouts of Danny Jansen and Tristan Casas. His defense did not support him. Houston committed a season-high four errors against Kikuchi, and Kikuchi was allowed three runs — one earned — on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one.
Jarren Duran jumped on the first pitch of the game, Kikuchi’s fastball, and hit his 16th home run to left field. Boston doubled the lead later in the inning when Astros third baseman Shay Whitcomb mishandled Jansen’s two-out grounder, allowing Rafael Devers to score from second base.
Kikuchi pitched despite shortstop Jeremy Pena’s fielding error in the second inning and catcher Victor Caratini’s throwing error in the fifth inning. He got double-play grounders from Rob Refsnyder in the third inning and Wong in the fourth to keep his pitch count in check despite a weak defense.
Boston starter Tanner Houck gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits in six innings. He had eight strikeouts without giving up any walks.
–Field Level Media