Houston return of Alex Bregman results in a home run and a standing applause, yet the Astros manage to thwart a late comeback by the Red Sox, securing a substantial victory.
In a thrilling game at Daikin Park, the Houston Astros emerged victorious with a 7-6 win over the Boston Red Sox. The matchup was significant, as it marked the return of two former Astros stars - Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman - to their home ballpark.
Carlos Correa, who was traded back to the Astros from the Minnesota Twins in August 2025, made an immediate impact in his first game back. He notched an RBI single and displayed stellar defense, helping energize both the team and fans. Correa has been in top form since the trade, maintaining a batting average of .390 for the Houston Astros.
Alex Bregman, a former Astros star who won two World Series titles in Houston, made his first appearance at Minute Maid Park since signing with the Red Sox this past offseason. Despite the crowd's booing, Bregman managed to hit a home run, a testament to his consistent offensive prowess.
The game also marked the return of Cristian Javier, who had missed time following Tommy John surgery. Javier delivered a solid pitching performance in his comeback start, throwing 77 pitches over 3 2/3 innings. He showed encouraging form, with 53 out of 85 pitches being strikes.
The presence of Correa and Javier has revitalized the Astros both on the field and in the clubhouse, fueling excitement and competitiveness during a tight division race. The Astros now lead the Mariners by one game at the top of the AL West Standings.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have lost three games in a row and trail the Blue Jays by 4 ½ games in the AL East. Bregman, currently slashing .301/.382/.541 for the year, mentioned seeing familiar faces as the aspect of his return to Houston that he was most looking forward to.
On the other hand, Garrett Crochet, an AL Cy Young contender, struggled in the game, allowing five runs, which is the most runs he has allowed in a start this season.
In addition to Correa, Ramón Urías, a recent Astros acquisition, had a standout game, recording three hits including his first home run as an Astro. Carlos Correa also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for the Astros again.
The Astros will look to build on this win and continue their push for the division title as they face the Red Sox again in the series.
[1] Correa Returns to Houston Astros [2] Javier Makes Comeback Start for Astros [3] Bregman Returns to Houston for First Time Since Signing with Red Sox [4] Astros Lead AL West After Win Against Red Sox [5] Correa Hits in Nine Straight Games for Astros
[6] The victory against the Red Sox marks a new record for the Astros, extending their win streak to six games this MLB season. [7] This win also signifies an important sports-analysis point, showing the Astros' resilience despite the absence of key players earlier in the season.
