The Boston Red Sox opened a 3 game series with the Houston Astros on Friday night, May 17th, ultimately falling to them 3-1. It was the 1st meeting of the 2 teams since Boston beat Houston in the American League Championship Series last fall

Rick Porcello was nearly perfect through 7 innings and manager Alex Cora sent him out to start the 8th, which proved to be his downfall, as Jake Marisnick led off the inning with a double and then George Springer hit a 2 run homer, his AL leading 17th of the season. Porcello finished with a pitching line of 7 innings pitched, 2 runs, 6 hits, 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Christian Vazquez was 3-4 at the plate with a double. He gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead with a 2 out single in the 6th inning.

Xander Bogaers was 3-4 with a double. JD Martinez was 1-3 with a double and walk.

The Red Sox outhit Houston 9-6 but left 10 men on base.

Notes from the trainer's room - Left David Price should come off the Injured Reserve list on Monday, and start against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto. Nathan Eovaldi played long toss on Friday and could have a mini-bullpen session on Tuesday. The Red Sox hope to have Eovaldi back in the rotation by early June.

Boston is now 23-21 on the season, 4.5 games behind the 1st place New York Yankees who beat Toronto 4=3 on Friday night to take possession of 1st place.

Boston and Houston will play the 2nd game of the 3 game series Saturday night. Hector Velazquez is scheduled to start for Boston. The pregame starts at 6:15 with the 1st pitch at 7:15. Hear the game on AM 1370 WDEA in Ellsworth and Bar Harbor area and The Rock 101.9 FM, WOZI in Presque Isle.

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