Red Sox 2, Astros 1
Kevin Youkilis drew a walk with the bases loaded to force in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and lift the visiting Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Freshly minted All-Star Josh Beckett dominated through eight innings and fellow All-Star Jacoby Ellsbury added a pair of hits for the Red Sox, who swept the three-game series to close interleague play with a record of 10-8.
Astros closer Mark Melancon (5-2) came on in the top of the ninth with the score knotted at 1-1 and walked Drew Sutton to lead off the frame. Ellsbury followed with a single and Dustin Pedroia grounded into a fielder’s choice before Houston elected to intentionally walk Adrian Gonzalez.
The move backfired when Melancon could not get Youkilis, walking him on five pitches to force in Sutton from third.
Beckett (7-3) cruised through eight innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 11 and not walking a batter.
Jonathan Papelbon worked a scoreless ninth for his 17th save of the season for Boston, which has won four in a row.
Houston has lost four straight and nine of 10.