Here are tonight's Talking Points after the Astros beat the Red Sox, 4-2. Check out the game story here.
BATTER OF THE GAME: Preston Tucker
When you think of the young studs on the Astros, you think of Carlos Correa and George Springer. But Preston Tucker is also a rookie, and tonight he proved to be the MVP of the game, taking Joe Kelly deep twice and accounting for three of the Astros' four RBI. He's got eight home runs on the season.
STARTERS REPORT: Joe Kelly made his return to the mound on Wednesday night, and showed glimpses of improvement since he was demoted to the PawSox. That said, Kelly wasn't necessarily "good", as he allowed three home runs. Before tonight, he had never allowed more than one home run in a game this year and had never allowed three home runs in one game in his career. But Kelly also showed why the Sox aren't giving up on him, as he struck out six. John Farrell said after the game that Kelly is staying up with the team. OK, I guess.
Collin McHugh had another strong game for the Astros, going seven innings and allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk. He got out of a couple big jams in the later innings.
BIG PLAY: There were a few "big" plays in the sense that the Sox shot themselves in the foot, but Mike Napoli's inning-ending double play was pretty awful on his part, but pretty awesome on the Astros' part. Jose Altuve somehow turned the double play and avoided Alejandro De Aza at the same time. Give it a look here.
WHAT I LIKED: Not much. Dustin Pedroia snapped 0-for-20 streak with an RBI double, so that was something. Instead, enjoy tea time with David Ortiz.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Lay. The. Bunt. Down. Two bunts tonight failed for the Sox. The first came in the fifth inning by Shane Victorino with two on and zero out. Vic couldn't get it down and later flied out to center. In the next at-bat, Mike Napoli grounded into a double-play.
The next failed bunt came in the 7th inning, again with two on and zero out. Blake Swihart tried to sacrifice Victorino over, but Collin McHugh was able to field it and get Victorino at third.
"We're in a first and second situation with Blake up," Farrell explained. "We've been scuffling to score some runs, trying to get two men into scoring position, get the tying run at second base. Vic takes a shot bunting for a base-hit, rolls foul. But yeah, trying to move runners up."
WHAT'S NEXT: Wade Miley returns to the mound for the Sox after a great start in Anaheim last time out. He goes up against Lance McCullers (4-3, 2.52 ERA).