Carter, Correa help Astros to 8-3 win over Red Sox

With the Boston Red Sox sitting nine games out of first place in the A.L. East prior to Tuesday’s game, many are suggesting that 2015 is over and they should start to look to 2016.

Red Sox rookie lefthander Brian Johnson (0-1) gave up three hits and four runs with four walks and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in his major league debut. Boston has not won since July 11 and dropped to 0-5 after the All-Star Break. “The Red Sox are so afraid of losing TV ratings or just this incessant thing of “feeding the monster” that they have to give you a Carl Crawford, a Hanley Ramirez, a Pablo Sandoval”. Ma.Gonzalez singled to center, Altuve to third. He lasted six innings, allowing seven hits and striking out seven in a breezy 91 pitches in his first start since being called back up from Double-A Corpus Christi.

The center fielder got a chance to show off his wheels and his locks when he scored on a mad dash to tie the game at 3 after a throwing error by Red Sox catcher Ryan Hanigan, whose throw to second to try to nab Marisnick stealing the base deflected off his arm and skipped into left field.

Jose Altuve drew a walk to chase Johnson.

Velasquez had a tough second inning, however outdoors of that it was one other spectacular outing for the rookie righthander.

Gonzalez was hit by a pitch by Masterson again in the sixth inning and was replaced at first base by Jon Singleton to start the seventh inning. Luke Gregerson pitched a flawless ninth for his 20th save. He advanced to second on a passed ball before McHugh plunked Alejandro De Aza. The Astros continued their terrific play at Minute Maid Park, where they are now fourteen games over.

Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia is 0 for 18 in five games after missing 16 due to a right hamstring strain. He forced Hoes at second but Marisnick reached on the fielder’s choice.

Mookie Betts drove in two runs in the top of the third with a single before Xander Bogaerts added another run when he singled to center.

The throw caromed into a large piece of unoccupied real estate in left field. Speaking earlier this week, he said that in both his recent simulated game and his last bullpen session he felt rusty before finding a rhythm.

Chris Carter hit a two-run homer in Tuesday’s 8-3 victory in his return to the lineup after missing two games with a sprained right ankle.

An infield single by Gattis allowed Gonzalez to score and push the lead to 5-3.

The Astros tacked on two more runs in the fifth, greeting Red Sox right-hander Justin Masterson with a double by shortstop Carlos Correa and a run-scoring groundout by Gattis.