BOSTON (AP) — Brice Matthews hit a three-run homer and made a leaping catch at the center-field wall to rob Willson Contreras of a hit that spoiled a potentially big inning, leading the Houston Astros to a 6-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.
Houston’s Christian Walker added a solo homer, three hits and two RBIs before leaving the game in the ninth inning after getting hit in the head by a fastball from Tyler Samaniego. Walker walked to the dugout after being hit and after the game was checked by a doctor and said he expects to be in the lineup on Sunday.
The Astros rebounded from a loss in the series opener Friday for just their third win in eight games.
Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti (4-0) gave up a run over five innings. He’s allowed two or fewer runs in each of his four starts since being called up from Triple-A on April 15.
Bryan King pitched the ninth for his second save.
Connelly Early (2-2) was tagged for six hits and five runs in four innings. The 24-year-old lefty had been Boston’s most consistent starter, giving up three runs or less in five of his previous six starts.
With the Astros leading 1-0, Matthews sent a fastball from Early into the second row of the Green Monster seats.
Walker hit his into the Monster seats too, making it 6-0 in the fifth.
Matthews’ grab came on Contreras’ sacrifice fly in the fifth, spoiling the rally that ended when Trevor Story struck out with the bases loaded.
That catch was one of four stellar defensive plays by the Astros. Right fielder Cam Smith made a jumping catch on a sixth-inning fly before shortstop Carlos Correa dove to snag a liner on the next batter. Third baseman Isaac Paredes dove to his right and made a one-hop throw from his knees to first.
Red Sox LHP Ranger Suarez (2-2, 3.09 ERA) is set to start the finale of the series Sunday. Cody Bolton (0-1, 5.79) is scheduled to start for Houston.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story hits an RBI single in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros' Christian Walker (8) high-fives teammate Jose Altuve (27) after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox,, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Houston Astros center fielder Brice Matthews catches the ball on a sacrifice fly hit by Boston Red Sox's Willson Contreras during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
MIAMI (AP) — Max Meyer and two Miami relievers combined on a one-hitter, Xavier Edwards homered and the Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0 on Saturday.
Meyer (2-0) struck out seven in a career-high seven innings. He gave up a single to Garrett Stubbs in the third and walked Alec Bohm in the fifth for the only baserunners he allowed. His outing ended after 83 pitches.
Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi each pitched a perfect inning to help snap the Phillies' four-game winning streak under interim manager Don Mattingly.
Edwards also singled for the Marlins and Otto López and Connor Norby each had two hits and drove in a run.
Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber has struck out in each of his nine plate appearances in the first two games of the series. For Schwarber, who fanned four times Saturday, the strikeout skid at loanDepot Park is at 11 games, including his last two at-bats against Venezuela in the final of the World Baseball Classic on March 17.
Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto went 0 for 3 in his return from the injured list. He was sidelined since April 22 because of back spasms.
Consecutive walks to Agustín Ramírez and Norby by Phillies starter Andrew Painter (1-3) with the bases loaded in the third put Miami ahead 2-0.
Edwards made it 3-0 with his solo blast in the fifth, sending a fastball from Painter over the wall in right for his second homer of the season.
Painter allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out seven.
Tanner Banks relieved Painter in the sixth and allowed López’s RBI infield single. Esteury Ruiz hit a leadoff double and Jakob Marsee drew a one-out walk. Both advanced on a groundout before López hit a dribbler over the mound.
Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford was in the original lineup, but was a late scratch because of migraines.
LHP Jesús Luzardo (2-3, 5.50) will start for the Phillies on Sunday against Marlins RHP Chris Paddack (0-4, 6.11).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Miami Marlins' Liam Hicks (34) hits a single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott swings at the ball during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez flies out to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Miami Marlins pitcher Max Meyer pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
