BOSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer to key a five-run fifth inning, Yordan Alvarez followed with his third homer in two games and the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 10-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.
It was the fifth straight win for the AL West-leading Astros, who also swept a three-game series in Fenway Park last season. Houston has won seven of its last eight series in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton limps off the field between manager Alex Cora, left, and a trainer during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Sims throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón (14) scores after a wild pitch by Boston Red Sox's Brennan Bernardino (83) during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz, right, celebrates the three-run home run by Alex Bregman that also drove in Jose Altuve, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) stands on the mound after relieving pitcher Brennan Bernardino, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña (3) celebrates his two-run home run behind Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong, right, that also drove in Yainer Diaz (21) during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña watches his two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman celebrates his three-run home run with Yordan Alvarez (44) that also drove in Pedro León (4) as Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong kneels at home plate during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman (2) watches his three-run home run in front of Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
“Big swings, a ton of good at-bats throughout,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of the series.
Jeremy Peña added a two-run homer and Yainer Diaz had a two-run double for the Astros, who improved to a season-best seven games over .500 (62-55).
Boston starter James Paxton limped off the field after straining his right calf while making a quick move to cover first on a grounder in the opening inning.
“I felt like I got kicked in the calf. Then, I kind of turned around, took another step and I felt it again,” Paxton said. “I was like: ‘It's not good. It's my calf.' I felt it pop.”
The Red Sox have lost four straight, and they’ve given up a major-league worst 47 homers since the All-Star break. Boston came in an MLB-best 16-3 in Sunday games.
Boston first baseman Dominic Smith pitched a scoreless ninth, with his first pitch recorded at 32 mph. He tipped his cap walking off after getting a loud ovation.
Hunter Brown (10-7) struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs.
With Houston leading 1-0, Bregman hit a shot against Brennan Bernardino an estimated 441 feet that left Fenway completely over the Green Monster. Alvarez then sent his drive into the center-field bleachers.
Alvarez went 2 for 2, increasing his average to .482 in 15 career games in Fenway with eight homers and 20 RBIs.
“Just to be able to be his teammate and be able to watch what he does on a day-to-day basis is special,” Bregman said of Alvarez. “He hits for average line-to-line, hits the ball out of the ballpark anywhere, so he's always fun to watch and he's very clutch, too. ... He always gets his ‘A' swing off.”
After hitting two homers a day earlier, the 27-year-old slugger was compared by Red Sox manager Alex Cora to Hall of Famer and former Red Sox star David Ortiz, along with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
“For me, he’s up there with Judge, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “Closest thing to David, probably, in the game. Very, very, very similar to David Ortiz.”
Peña’s drive also cleared the Monster seats, coming in a four-run sixth that made it 10-0.
Reliever Lucas Sims (1-6) was the loser after Bernardino’s wild pitch allowed a runner that he left on to score
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: Espada said “everything was positive” on ace RHP Justin Verlander after he had a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday night. They were waiting to hear from Verlander, but the plan is another rehab start before thinking about coming back to the majors. ... Bregman slid into a wall hard chasing a foul pop, but stayed in.
Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers had the day off. “He’s been grinding through it,” Cora said. “It makes sense and hopefully (Monday) he’ll be back.” ... SS Trevor Story is still expected to take BP on the field Monday as he works back from shoulder surgery quicker than originally expected.
UP NEXT
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (11-5, 3.46 ERA) is expected to start the opener of a three-game series Monday on the road against Tampa Bay.
Red Sox: Cora said RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.16) would come off the paternity list and make his start Monday when Boston plays the first of three against Texas. RHP Tyler Mahle (0-1, 1.80) is slated to start for the Rangers.
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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton limps off the field between manager Alex Cora, left, and a trainer during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Sims throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón (14) scores after a wild pitch by Boston Red Sox's Brennan Bernardino (83) during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz, right, celebrates the three-run home run by Alex Bregman that also drove in Jose Altuve, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) stands on the mound after relieving pitcher Brennan Bernardino, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña (3) celebrates his two-run home run behind Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong, right, that also drove in Yainer Diaz (21) during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña watches his two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman celebrates his three-run home run with Yordan Alvarez (44) that also drove in Pedro León (4) as Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong kneels at home plate during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman (2) watches his three-run home run in front of Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
DYERSBURG, Tennessee. (AP) — Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding came Saturday for parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that also spawned some deadly tornadoes.
Day after day of heavy rains have pounded the central U.S., rapidly swelling waterways and prompting a series of flash flood emergencies in Missouri, Texas and Arkansas. The National Weather Service said 45 river locations in multiple states were expected to reach major flood stage, with extensive flooding of structures, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure possible.
At least seven people were killed as the tornadoes destroyed entire neighborhoods, with more twisters possible in places this weekend. Flooding killed at least two more in Kentucky -- 9-year-old boy swept away Friday on his way to school, and a 74-year-old whose body was found Saturday inside a fully submerged vehicle in Nelson County, authorities said.
And interstate commerce is affected — the extreme flooding across a corridor that includes the major cargo hubs in Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis could lead to shipping and supply chain delays, said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather.
The outburst comes at a time when nearly half of NWS forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates after Trump administration job cuts — twice that of just a decade ago.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Saturday that the Ohio River had risen five feet in 24 hours and would continue to swell for days.
“We expect this to be one of the top 10 flooding events in Louisville history,” he said.
Flash flood emergencies continued to be issued Saturday across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, with more heavy rains and damaging winds in the mix.
Hundreds of Kentucky roads were impassable Friday because of floodwaters, downed trees or mud and rock slides, and the number of closures were likely to increase with more rain Saturday, said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Downtown Hopkinsville, Kentucky, reopened early Saturday after floodwaters from the Little River receded, giving a much needed reprieve, but still more rainfall was on its way Saturday and Sunday, Mayor James R. Knight Jr. said.
“We got a little rain but most of it went north of us,” Knight said Saturday. “Thank goodness on that. Gave us a little break.”
Flash flooding is particularly worrisome in rural Kentucky where water can rush off hillsides into low-lying areas. Less than three years ago, dozens died in flooding in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky.
In north central Kentucky, emergency officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for Falmouth, a town of 2,000 people in a bend of the swelling Licking River, as the rising water summoned fears of damaging floods. The warnings were similar to catastrophic flooding nearly 30 years prior when the river reached a record 50 feet high, resulting in five deaths and 1,000 homes destroyed.
Over in Arkansas, weather officials pleaded with the public to avoid all travel unless absolutely necessary due to the widespread flooding.
On Saturday, BNSF confirmed that a railroad bridge in Mammoth Spring was washed out by floodwaters that caused the derailment of several cars. No injuries were reported, but BNSF had no immediate estimate when the bridge would reopen.
Since Wednesday, more than a foot of rain — or 30.5 centimeters — has now fallen in parts of Kentucky, and more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) has fallen in parts of Arkansas and Missouri, forecasters said Saturday.
Forecasters attributed the violent weather to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear and abundant moisture streaming from the Gulf.
At least two reports of observed tornadoes were noted Friday evening in Missouri and Arkansas, according to the NWS. One, near Blytheville, Arkansas, lofted debris at least 25,000 feet (7.6 kilometers) high, according to weather service meteorologist Chelly Amin. The state’s emergency management office reported damage in 22 counties from tornadoes, wind, hail and flash flooding.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said entire neighborhoods in the town of Selmer were “completely wiped out” by a tornado with winds estimated by the NWS of up to 160 mph (257 kph).
On Saturday, dozens of people in Dyersburg, Tennessee, arrived at a storm shelter near a public school in the rain with blankets, pillows and folding chairs.
George Manns, 77, said he was in his apartment when he heard the tornado warning and decided to head to the shelter. Just days earlier, the city was hit by a tornado and caused millions of dollars in damage.
“I grabbed all my stuff and came here,” Mann said, who brought a folding chair and two bags of toiletries, laptops, iPads and his medications. “I don’t leave them in my apartment in case my apartment is destroyed. I have to make sure I have them with me.”
Schreiner reported from Shelbyville, Kentucky. Associated Press writers Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas; Jonathan Mattise and Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee; Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia; and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.
The rising waters of the Licking River touch the basketball hoop at Max Goldberg Park, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Falmouth, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
An aerial view of debris floating down the Kentucky River as vehicles drive over a bridge Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Vehicles go around a downed tree on Cooper Street as heavy rain falls, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian via AP)
A car is stuck in floodwaters near the corner of Cowden Street and Tanglewood Avenue as heavy rain falls, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian via AP)
A resident is brought to dry land by boat after being rescued from flood waters by emergency responders from the Benton, Conway and Shannon Hills fire departments and the Pulaski County Emergency Management team in Shannon Hills, Ark., Saturday, April 5, 2025, as a second day of storms brought widespread flooding to the region. (Colin Murphey/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Pendleton County personnel use a boat to cross Max Goldberg Park after cutting power from a utility pole as the rising Licking River overflows its banks, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Falmouth, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Floodwaters inundate homes and vehicles in Shannon Hills, Ark., Saturday, April 5, 2025, as a second day of storms brought widespread flooding to the region. (Colin Murphey/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Fog rolls in over a flooded road near the banks of the Kentucky River on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Tim Smith walks through the first floor of his flooded home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Carole Smith walks through her flooded home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Kris Searcy and her dog, Nash, walk through flood waters on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Floodwaters enter a garage in a home on the banks of the Ohio River on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
A flooded home is seen from the banks of the Ohio River on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
A stranded car sits in a flooded ditch on the off-ramp of I-165 to Russellville Road in Bowling Green, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025, after excessive rainfall Thursday into Friday drenched southcentral Kentucky with more than four and a half inches of rain. (Grace McDowell /Daily News via AP)
Stacks of sandbags are seen as staff prepares for flood waters from the Ohio River at Captain's Quarters, a restaurant, on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
The rising Whitewater River overflows its banks at Riverview Park on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Harrison, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A street is closed off due to flood waters in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
A street is closed off due to flood waters in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The Green River floods in Casey County, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
Signs at Basil Griffin Park in Bowling Green, Ky., stand in flooded waters on Friday, April 4, 2025, after excessive rainfall Thursday into Friday drenched southcentral Kentucky with more than four and a half inches of rain. (Grace McDowell /Daily News via AP)
Caution tape is placed in MacGregor Park on the banks of the Cumberland River in Clarksville Tenn., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Drew's on the River Sports Bar and Grill manager, Carrie Haines, right, Frank left, and Steve Schmidt son of owner Ron Schmidt, center load furnature on to trailer in the rain as the Ohio River rises, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Workers clear landslide debris, caused by heavy rains overnight, from Mary Ingles Highway, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Newport, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A person rides a bike in a flooded street in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Flood waters cover the entryway to the Weather Stone subdivision off Russellville Road in Bowling Green, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025, after excessive rainfall Thursday into Friday drenched southcentral Kentucky with more than four and a half inches of rain. (Grace McDowell /Daily News via AP)
City of Owensboro workers put sandbags to protect the fountains in preparation for flooding of the Ohio River in Smothers Park in Owensboro, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Alan Warren/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)
Stairs vanish into the rising Ohio River in front of Drew's on the River Sports Bar and Grill, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Tony Kirves prepares for flooding inside this photography studio in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Flood waters rise around homes on Bell Street in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Floodwaters cover Kentucky Route 39 in Lincoln County, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
Brandon Sanderson, left, Josh Brashears set up sandbags after flooding in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Cars sit in a flooded street in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Marquetta Wheeler, right, with Samaria Williams and Jemaria Shaw walk through flood waters as they leave their home on Marietta Drive in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Floodwaters cover the entryway to the Weather Stone subdivision off Russellville Road in Bowling Green, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Grace McDowell/Daily News via AP)
Floodwaters cover Kentucky Route 39 in Lincoln County, Ky., on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
