BOSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez belted two home runs and drove in three runs, rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high 13 over seven innings and the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Saturday.
Zach Dezenzo hit his first major-league homer and Alex Bregman added a solo shot for the AL West-leading Astros, who won their second straight over Boston and fourth straight overall.
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Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Boston Red Sox's Danny Jansen celebrates after his home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela scores in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, right, celebrates his home run with teammate Rafael Devers, left, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez celebrates after his home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates after his home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros hitter Alex Bregman, left, celebrates after his home run with teammate Yordan Alvarez, right, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
In recording his 19th career multi-homer game, Alvarez improved his lofty career numbers in Fenway Park, where he’s batting .463 with seven homers and 19 RBIs. He entered the day leading all AL hitters with a .354 average in road games.
“You can kind of tell just by the game, the results,” Alvarez said through a team translator, when asked if he enjoys hitting in Fenway.
Boston manager Alex Cora thinks the Astros’ slugger is right up there with the Yankees’ Aaron Judge as one of the game’s best hitters. He even compared him to former Red Sox slugger and Hall of Famer David Ortiz.
“For me, he’s up there with Judge, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “It seems like he likes hitting here. That (Green Monster) keeps him closed, he can shoot it the other way. ... Closest thing to David, probably, in the game. Very, very, very similar to David Ortiz."
Danny Jansen and Masataka Yoshida each had a solo homer for the Red Sox, who lost a series for the first time in their last four.
Alvarez's second shot came off a slider from Brad Keller (0-3) and traveled an estimated 422 feet into the right-field seats.
Arrighetti (5-10) gave up just two hits — the solo homers — and walked one in his 92-pitch outing.
“Yeah, I think I was really locked in,” he said. “Honestly, I got really angry in the first inning, second inning, a little bit. That sometimes helps me. ... I don't think I necessarily had my best stuff, but I think that I was really dialed in using what I had today.”
Josh Hader got the final three outs for his 25th save despite giving up Rafael Devers’ leadoff double. It was his 25th straight successful save opportunity, a Houston club record.
Alvarez had given Houston a 1-0 lead when he sent Josh Winckowski’s changeup over Boston’s bullpen in the first.
Bregman’s seventh-inning drive sailed deep in the batters’ eye in center off Keller. Dezenzo’s went over Green Monster seats in left.
Wilyer Abreu’s two-run single sliced Boston’s deficit to 5-4 in the eighth.
Called up from Triple-A Sugar Land in April to fill an opening in Houston’s injury-depleted rotation, the 24-year-old Arrighetti kept Boston’s hitters off balance by mixing his mid-90 mph fastball with a changeup, sweeper and curveball until Jansen hit a first-pitch fastball completely out of Fenway over the Monster to open the fifth.
Arrighetti, the club’s top pitching prospect entering the season, was coming off his best start in his last outing, when he struck out 12 over six innings, holding Tampa Bay to one run in a tough-luck loss.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: RHP Kendall Graveman (right shoulder surgery) threw off the Fenway Park mound before the game. Manager Joe Espada said it was around 10 pitches and they’ll wait to see how he feels before the next step. … RHP Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) was still expected to make a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday night.
Red Sox: RHP Liam Hendriks threw his second live BP, this time off the Fenway mound as he continues his return from ulnar collateral ligament surgery last August. He’s expected to throw another on Tuesday or Wednesday and could go on a rehab assignment after that. “Today was better than the other day,” he said. “The other day we noticed a couple of things. We, I mean, the coaching staff and my wife. She pulled up (clips) of how I used to pitch.” … 1B Triston Casas (strained rib since mid-April) continues his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester. Cora said he won’t be back this weekend or the upcoming three games against Texas.
UP NEXT
RHP Hunter Brown (9-7, 3.98 ERA) is set to go for the Astros in Sunday’s series finale against LHP James Paxton (9-3, 4.42), who is making his third start with Boston since he was acquired in a trade from the Dodgers.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Boston Red Sox's Danny Jansen celebrates after his home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela scores in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, right, celebrates his home run with teammate Rafael Devers, left, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez celebrates after his home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates after his home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros hitter Alex Bregman, left, celebrates after his home run with teammate Yordan Alvarez, right, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s Constitutional Court removed impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday, four months after he threw South Korean politics into turmoil by declaring martial law and sending troops to parliament in an ill-fated effort to break through legislative gridlock.
The unanimous verdict comes more than three months after the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon. South Korea must now hold a national election within two months to find a new president. Surveys show Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favorite to become the country’s next president.
At an anti-Yoon rally near the old royal palace that dominates downtown Seoul, People erupted into jubilant tears and dancing when the verdict was announced. Two women wept as they hugged and an old man near them leapt to his feet and screamed with joy.
In a nationally televised verdict, the court's acting chief Moon Hyung-bae said the eight-member bench upheld Yoon's impeachment because his martial law decree seriously violated the constitution and other laws.
“The defendant not only declared martial law, but also violated the constitution and laws by mobilizing military and police forces to obstruct the exercise of legislative authority," Moon said, "Ultimately, the declaration of martial law in this case violated the substantive requirements for emergency martial law.”
“Given the grave negative impact on constitutional order and the significant ripple effects of the defendant’s violations, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by removing the defendant from office far outweigh the national losses from the removal of a president," the justice concluded.
One of Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun, called the ruling “completely incomprehensible” and a “pure political decision," but the former president did not immediately issue a statement. Yoon's ruling People Power Party said it would accept the decision.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s acting leader, in a televised speech vowed to ensure “there are no gaps in national security and diplomacy” and maintain public safety and order.
“Respecting the will of our sovereign people, I will do my utmost to manage the next presidential election in accordance with the constitution and the law, ensuring a smooth transition to the next administration,” Han said.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment plunged the country into political turmoil, with millions taking to the streets to denounce or support him. Many experts say Yoon supporters will likely intensify their rallies in the wake of the court’s decision, prolonging national division.
After abruptly declaring martial law on Dec. 3, Yoon sent hundreds of soldiers and police officers to the National Assembly. He has argued that he sought to maintain order, but some senior military and police officers sent there have told hearings and investigators that Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to prevent an assembly vote on his decree.
Enough lawmakers eventually managed to get in and voted to strike down Yoon’s decree unanimously.
The National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon Dec. 14, accusing him of violating the constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians, and undermining peace across the country.
People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
People hold up signs during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Protesters shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Protesters shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Dismiss impeachment." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Demonstrators who stayed overnight near the Constitutional Court, wait for the start of a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Jo Eun-jin, who stayed overnight on the street, waits for the start of a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Police officers move as protesters prepare to march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Police officers stand guard as protesters prepare to march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Police officers pass by the main gate of the Constitutional Court which is blocked by police fences and buses as part of precaution for an eventuality in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Police officers stand guard near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate return." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate return." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Protesters march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate dismissal." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Protesters stage a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate dismissal." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions hold up cards during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Step down." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
