G144: Red Sox 6, Astros 5

Astros  - 010 004 000 - 5 11  0
Red Sox - 101 030 001 - 6 14  1

Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts set the table in the bottom of the ninth with singles off Hector Rondon before Mitch Moreland won the game with a two-out hit to left field.

In the fifth, a successful Red Sox challenge to a call allowed the inning to continue and J.D. Martinez belted his 40th home run of the year, a three-run job.

JDM drove in four of Boston's six runs. Bogaerts went 4-for-4, with a walk. Mookie Betts scored three runs.

The bullpen continued to have issues as Heath Hembree, in relief of Rick Porcello (5.2-7-4-1-6, 95) allowed two inherited runners to score. Also in that inning, Brian Johnson allowed an inherited runner to score.

Earlier on Sunday, the Mariners beat the Yankees 3-2.

The deciding run scored in the eighth off Dellin Betances as Mitch Haniger walked, stole second, was bunted to third and scored on a fielder's choice. The Yankees' lead over the Athletics in the wild card standings was cut to 2.5.

Dallas Keuchel / Rick Porcello

Betts, CF
Benintendi, LF
Martinez, RF
Bogaerts, SS
Pearce, 1B
Kinsler, 2B
Phillips, 3B
Nuñez, DH
Leon, C

In the first two games of the series, the Red Sox were 4-for-22 (.182) with runners at second and/or third.

Mookie Betts is the second player in Red Sox history to record four straight seasons with 40+ doubles. Wade Boggs had seven consecutive seasons (1985-91).

MLB.com writers David Adler and Daniel Kramer pick the best season in every team's history. Here are the first five words of their entry for the 1912 Red Sox: "The Curse of the Bambino". As another long-time Red Sox blogger would say: Terrible job.

When the Red Sox score 0-3 runs: 12-32
When the Red Sox score 4+ runs: 85-14

The Red Sox are 97-46 with 19 games remaining. The 1912 team holds the franchise's win record: 105-47-2.

9-10: Minimum record needed to set a new franchise record for wins
9-2: Minimum record needed in next 11 games to set a new franchise record for wins in 154 games