Alex Bregman hits 3-run HR, Yordan Alvarez follows with solo shot as Astros beat Red Sox 10-2

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.

“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.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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)

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 3, 2025--

According to the latest report from Omdia’s Large Area Display Production Strategy Tracker, display panel makers maintained a fab utilization above 80% in 1Q25 but are expected to reduce utilization in 2Q25. As the pull-in demand for 1Q25 winds down at the start of 2Q25, set makers are adopting a more conservative approach to panel purchases.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402228909/en/

Uncertainty surrounding the new U.S. tariffs on display application products including TVs, PCs and smartphones, combined with reduced panel orders from brands and OEMs, is prompting panel makers to scale back capacity utilization. Omdia predicts utilization will drop below 80% in April 2025 and further to 76% in May 2025.

Since 4Q24, panel makers have operated fabs at high utilization levels of 81%-83% driven in part by China’s “swap old for new” subsidy program which has boosted demand for LCD TV panels. Chinese TV manufacturers have accelerated production and shipments to the U.S. to mitigate tariff risks, pushing demand higher in early 2025, particularly for 75 inches and larger LCD TV panels.

However, concerns over new potential U.S. tariffs starting in April and uncertainties in display panel demand have led to PC and TV set makers reduce their panel inventory purchases. Some have already reduced their panel orders for 2Q25. In Omdia’s February 2025 outlook, April utilization was expected to be 82% and May at 78%. However, with some China TFT LCD makers planning extended breaks for the May Labor Day holiday utilization could fall further to around 75% in May.

“With demand slowing and uncertainty around tariff impact, panel makers are shifting from their original high capacity utilization mode back to the production-to-order mode,” said David Hsieh, Senior Director for Display research in Omdia. “This strategy should help stabilize panel prices amid weakening demand. . However, since panel prices have remained elevated over the past six months, TV and PC brands and OEMs may push for further price reductions to offset U.S. tariffs.

Hsieh added, “The display market is entering into a new cycle and will likely stabilize later in 2025. Tariffs and their impact on display demand will be the biggest swing factor in this transition.”

ABOUT OMDIA

Omdia, part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets combined with our actionable insights empower organizations to make smart growth decisions.

Fab utilization rates (%)