BOSTON – After waiving veteran outfielder Michael Brantley from the injured list on Tuesday, the Astros are without key members of their offense on the IL for the first time this year. Jose Altuve missed 60 games due to two injuries, Yordan Alvarez missed 39 games due to an oblique strain and Brantley missed the first 133 games of this season due to shoulder surgery.
Houston’s offense had plenty going for it before Brantley’s return, but his presence in the lineup in the 6-2 win over the Red Sox gave the Astros a boost despite going 0-for-4 with four hard-hit outs. Houston scored nine goals and set a club record with 66 goals in a four-game span ending Tuesday.
The Astros, who have won four straight, are in a three-way tie in the American League West after the Rangers beat the Mets and the Mariners fell to the A’s on Wednesday. Houston holds the edge over Texas at 6-4 with three games remaining between the clubs on September 4-6 and the Mariners having won the season series against the Astros 8-2.
Houston has a 17-11 record in its last 28 games, thanks largely to an offense that has become a strength.
After scoring 30 runs in the last two games, the Astros kept the hot bats rolling in the first inning at Fenway Park on Tuesday when Alex Bregman and Alvarez hit consecutive home runs. A two-run double by Mauricio Dubón made it 5-1, and the Astros were on their way to improving to 8-0-2 in their last 10 road series.
“Some guys started swinging the bat,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “Breggy is hot, Alvarez is hot, [Jose] Altuve was hot yesterday [hitting for the cycle]. It was a great day for Michael as he hit the ball hard a few times and had nothing to show for it. We really needed this win so hopefully we can get the win tomorrow and go home.”
The runs helped rookie right-hander JP France recover from a disastrous performance against the Red Sox just five days earlier. France allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings to pick up his 10th win, the most in the first 20 career appearances by a player in Astros history.
The Astros are 12-9 with a .302/.380/.492 average with 31 home runs in their last 21 games. They’ve had 14 games in double digits during that span and average 6.6 runs and 11.1 hits per game despite being held by a run or less five times since August 13th.
Bregman singled out Red Sox starter Brayan Bello deep in the first inning, giving him 22 home runs and 88 RBIs. He went 3-for-5 in his third three-goal game in his last nine games. He is slashing .432/.545/.795 since August 19th.
“It was huge to come out and get some runs on the board,” Bregman said. “We knew we were facing a strong pitcher and a strong team. We knew they would fight the whole game. In my opinion JP did a great job and made some great adjustments. I thought our squad was relentless today and it was definitely fun to have Uncle Mike back. He brought a lot of energy to the boys.”
Brantley, playing his first major league game since June 26, 2022, had takeoff speeds of 102.2 mph, 99.1 mph, 97.6 mph and 104.1 mph on the four swings, with which he brought balls into play. Baker said Brantley will start at designated hitter in Wednesday’s series finale.
“It’s a different feeling when he’s in the lineup,” said Dubón, who hits .339 (20 of 59) in August after hitting .200 in July. “I think it’s crazy to just have him back and everyone’s joining in now.”
Alvarez followed Bregman’s home run in the first inning with a 113.1 mph laser down the right field line and on the pitches for his second home run in as many games. A double to left in the fourth inning, hit high by the Green Monster, gave Alvarez eight consecutive at-bats. He is 36 for 112 (.321) with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 29 games since coming off the IL.
“I told him on the flight from Detroit, ‘As soon as you see the Green Monster, you start flying,'” Bregman said. “He’s just great at using the whole field and this is the perfect starting point for him. He hit a few balls hard into right field, a few balls hard into left field. … It’s a great place for him.”
And great news for a resurgent Astros offense.