HOUSTON, TX – August 11, 2025 – In a wild and emotional series opener at Daikin Park, the Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-6 tonight, getting a big night from their offense to hold off a pair of home runs from a returning favorite and a late Boston rally.
The storyline of the night was two-fold. Before the game, the Astros honored veteran reliever Héctor Neris, who recently reached his 10th year of service time in Major League Baseball. Neris was recognized in a special ceremony, a testament to his long and successful career.
The game itself was a dramatic affair, beginning with the return of Alex Bregman, now with the Red Sox. The former Astro received a standing ovation from the Houston crowd in his first game back, and then immediately made an impact by hitting a two-run home run in the first inning off Astros pitcher Cristian Javier, who was making his first appearance since his Tommy John surgery 14 months ago.
The Astros’ offense, however, did not back down. They chipped away at the lead, with Carlos Correa hitting an RBI single to score Cam Smith. Christian Walker later gave the Astros the lead with a two-run double, making it 3-2.
The Astros would extend their lead with a two-run home run from Ramón Urías—a recent trade acquisition—in the sixth inning, giving the Astros a 7-4 lead. This came after Chas McCormick also hit a two-run shot in the fourth, his first home run of the season.
The Red Sox would not go away quietly, as they mounted a late comeback in the seventh to cut the Astros’ lead to 7-6 on home runs from Abraham Toro and Roman Anthony.
The Astros’ bullpen, including A.J. Sousa and Enyel De Los Santos, had to work hard to hold on to the lead. In the end, it was rookie reliever Bennett Sousa who came on in the ninth inning to get the final out, earning his fourth save of the season and securing the victory for the Astros. The win was a big one for the Astros, allowing them to start their home stand with a heartfelt victory.
A Look at the Standings
With their win today, the Astros’ record now stands at 67-52, and they have maintained their lead in the AL West. The second-place Seattle Mariners also won today, bringing their record to 66-53. This means the Astros hold a razor-thin half-game lead over the Mariners as they head into a pivotal home series against each other.
