A six-run fourth inning helped the Boston Red Sox defeat the visiting Houston Astros 6-1 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

Boston’s fourth inning included a balk, a wild pitch and an error by Houston starting pitcher Framber Valdez along with a passed ball. The balk and the throwing error each allowed a run to score. Boston received an RBI single from Trevor Story, an RBI single from Ceddanne Rafaela, a sacrifice fly from Connor Wong and a RBI groundout from Rob Refsnyder in the inning.

Rafaela collected three of Boston’s eight hits in the win while Story went 2-for-4.

Boston’s Lucas Giolito (8-2) turned in a dominant performance on the mound. He pitched a season-high eight innings — his longest outing since Aug. 9, 2021, when he was with the Chicago White Sox — and held Houston to one run on three hits. Giolito, who threw 103 pitches (67 strikes), struck out four and walked one.

Chris Murphy pitched a scoreless ninth for the Red Sox.

Valdez (11-5) surrendered six runs (four earned) on seven hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked one. Houston’s Kaleb Ort and Nick Hernandez each tossed an inning of scoreless relief.

Carlos Correa hit a solo home run that put Houston in front 1-0 in the top of the fourth. It was Correa’s eighth home run of the season and first since he was re-acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline. Correa has four home runs against Giolito, more than he has against any other MLB pitcher.

Jose Altuve (single) and Jesus Sanchez (double) had the other Houston hits. The Astros have lost eight of their last 10.

Boston outscored Houston 15-5 in the series. The Red Sox have won five games in a row and seven of their last eight.

–Field Level Media