RED SOX 4, ASTROS 1
HOUSTON -- David Price put his postseason woes behind him, pitching the Boston Red Sox back into another World Series with a 4-1 victory over the defending champion Houston Astros on Thursday night.
Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run as the Red Sox stunned Justin Verlander and the Astros in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series to win the best-of-seven set 4-1.
It was a perfect 43rd birthday present for rookie Manager Alex Cora, who became the first skipper from Puerto Rico to take a team to the World Series.
ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr., outfielder Mookie Betts and the 108-win Red Sox will try to bring Boston its fourth crown in 15 years when they open the World Series on Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers. The Red Sox were last in the World Series when they won it all in 2013.
Los Angeles has a 3-2 lead in the NLCS going into Game 6 tonight at Miller Park.
"We got four more wins. That was very, very special, absolutely. But we want more," Price said.
After dropping the opener at home, Boston took four consecutive -- including three in a row at Minute Maid Park to improve to 5-0 on the road in these playoffs.
Left fielder Andrew Benintendi (Arkansas Razorbacks) caught a long fly for the last out -- not nearly as dramatic as his game-saving diving grab the previous night.
There was a smattering of boos from the home crowd as the Red Sox charged onto the field, embracing as they jumped around near the middle of the diamond. They posed for a team picture on the mound a couple of minutes later as members of Houston's pitching staff slowly walked by, glancing at the revelry on their way back from the bullpen.
"They beat us. We ran out of wins," Astros Manager AJ Hinch said.
Despite leading the majors in wins during the regular season, the Red Sox were underdogs against a Houston team that defeated the Dodgers in last year's World Series and romped past Cleveland in the division series this month.
But stars Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and the Astros hobbled to the finish in a humbling defeat. Still, no team has repeated as World Series champs since the New York Yankees won three consecutive from 1998-2000.
Pitching on only three days' rest after Boston ace Chris Sale was ruled out while recovering from a stomach illness, Price struck out nine in six shutout innings of three-hit ball. The left-hander, who has had a rough time in Boston since signing a $217 million contract before the 2016 season, entered 0-9 with a 6.16 ERA in 11 career postseason starts.
"It felt good. Honestly, it really started last night in the bullpen. Threw quite a few pitches to come in for the next hitter, found something out while doing that and kind of just carried that over to today," Price said.
At a glance
AMERICAN LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
BOSTON 4, HOUSTON 1
SATURDAY Houston 7, Boston 2
SUNDAY Boston 7, Houston 5
TUESDAY Boston 8, Houston 2
WEDNESDAY Boston 8, Houston 6
THURSDAY Boston 4, Houston 1
Sports on 10/19/2018