The Houston Astros beat Boston 9-1 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Wednesday, moving them just one win away from another trip to the World Series.
Houston pitcher Framber Valdez was perfect through four innings, bringing a two-hit shutout into the seventh. In all, Valdez gave up one run on three hits, one walk and a hit batter, striking out five. He was also the first opposing pitcher to last eight innings in a postseason start at Fenway since Cleveland’s Charles Nagy went eight in the 1998 Division Series.
Game 6 will be held on Friday night in Houston. Nathan Eovaldi will start for Boston, but Houston manager Dusty Baker has not identified a potential starter as of press time. The Astros can clinch its third pennant in five years with a victory in Game 6. The Red Sox will need a win to force a deciding seventh game on Saturday.
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