Brice Matthews Powers Astros Over Red Sox

Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images

May 2, 2026

Astros 6, Red Sox 3

The Boston Red Sox fell 6–3 to the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon. Brice Matthews had himself a day, hitting a three-run home run, paired with a great defensive play in the outfield. Spencer Arrighetti recorded the win pitching five innings of one-run ball, despite allowing five hits and walking five. Connelly Early allowed five runs on six hits and three walks to earn the loss.

Red Sox-Astros Game Summary

The Astros forced Early to throw 28 of pitches in the first inning. It translated to only one run however, courtesy of a long RBI single from Christian Walker. Despite having the bases loaded with one out in the third, a double play ball from Willson Contreras put paid to any run-scoring plans.

The Astros followed it up in the fourth, with Matthews launching a three-run homer over the Green Monster. Carlos Correa followed not long after with an RBI single. Early pitched the remainder of the fourth before his day was done. Although the Red Sox started the bottom half of this inning with two walks, they managed to squander it without scoring once again.

Ryan Watson was tasked with chaos management for the fifth inning. He failed, as Walker would deposit a home run ball to the Monster seats and make it 6–0. The Red Sox got runners on the corners with one out.

Contreras launched a ball to center field, and instead of getting extra bases, Matthews leapt and caught it at the wall, scoring Connor Wong from third. Trevor Story came up later in the inning with the bases loaded again. Once again, nothing happened, keeping the score at 6–1 through five.

Once again, the Red Sox threatened with runners on the corner. Wilyer Abreu blooped a single to right field to score Contreras from second. Story would come up a third time with a runner in scoring position. Third times the charm, as he blooped an RBI single to left field. After a Masataka Yoshida pinch-hit walk, Ceddanne Rafaela came up with the bases loaded. He left them loaded, looking at strike three in the process. Bryan King notched the save in the ninth.

What Went Right for the Red Sox

Abreu’s Going Strong

Abreu went 2-for-2 with two walks, never getting out this game.

What Went Wrong for the Red Sox

Situational Hitting

The Red Sox weren’t lacking baserunners, and had plenty of opportunities to make the game competitive.

Web Gem O’Clock

Not only did Matthews notch that leaping grab, Correa came through with a diving grab in the sixth inning. Even on some of the Red Sox’ better hit balls, they ended up hitting nothing but webbing.

Looking Ahead

The series finale is on Sunday at 1:35 pm Eastern. Ranger Suarez will look to rebound from his last start against the Astros in Daikin Park, where he allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings. The Astros starter is to be determined as of press time.