Hunter Brown reaches 10 victories, helping the Astros beat the Red Sox 4-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Hunter Brown allowed only a run in 6 2/3 innings for his 10th victory, Jeremy Peña and Yainer Diaz homered and the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Brown (10-5) allowed six hits and three walks and held Boston to 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Astros moved a game ahead of Seattle for the AL West lead. The Mariners fell 4-3 in Baltimore.

Peña started a two-run first with his his fifth leadoff homer of the season on Walker Buehler’s fifth pitch. Diaz added a two-out RBI single and, with the Astros up 2-1 with two out in the sixth, he sent an 0-1 sweeper from Buehler (7-7) 415 to left-center for his 17th homer.

Boston had the tying run at third base with two outs in the sixth. With Romy Gonzalez at the plate, Red Sox manager Alex Cora stood outside the dugout demanding Brown be called for a balk. A meeting between the four umpires ensued, but no balk was called. Cora was ejected for the fifth time in 2025 during a pitching change an inning later.

Bennett Sousa took over for Brown in the seventh, pitching 1 1/3 innings. Bryan Abreu worked the ninth for his first save.

Diaz’s two-out, two-run homer in the sixth gave Houston a three-run lead.

Diaz is batting .321 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in his last 13 games.

The Red Sox open a three-game home series against Miami on Friday night, with RHP Lucas Giolito (8-2 3.77 ERA) slated to start. The Astros open a three-game home series against Baltimore on Friday night, with LHP Framber Valdez (11-5 2.97) set to start.

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

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, right, argues with home plate umpire Ryan Blakney (36) after being ejected during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz hits a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz (21) celebrates with Victor Caratini after hitting a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/