Takeaways: Red Sox Drop Series Opener Against Astros

The Boston Red Sox returned home tonight for a three-game weekend series with the Houston Astros at Fenway Park.

The Astros got the best of the Red Sox in the series opener, however, picking up an 8-4 win.

The Red Sox showed early signs of promise at the plate but ultimately fell flat as the game went along.

What are the main things to take away from the series opener between the Red Sox and Astros?

Tanner Houck returned to form

After a dominant first half of the season which earned him his first All-Star selection, Houck had a couple of rough starts to open the second half of the year.

Houck appears to have regained his confidence. In six innings on the mound, Houck allowed one run off four hits, walked three batters and struck one batter out.

Although the Red Sox did not come out on top, seeing Houck have success had to be encouraging for the team.

Boston’s bats went quiet

The Red Sox looked good at the plate early in the game, putting two runs on the board in the second inning and one more in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead.

It was downhill from there, however, as Houston took control with a four-run rally in the seventh inning.

Boston only managed six hits and four of them belonged to Jarren Duran and Nick Sogard who had two each. David Hamilton and Ceddanne Rafaela accounted for the other two.

Stranded runners were plentiful

Both Boston and Houston will aim to strand fewer runners for the remainder of the weekend.

The Red Sox left nine men on the base paths and the Astros stranded 10.

Boston has done a decent job of driving in runs this season but that was not the case tonight.

The Red Sox are now 61-53 on the season.

Game 2

Boston will look to even the series with a win tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.