Astros put it all together, rout Red Sox for 3-2 advantage in ALCS

AP photo by Charles Krupa / Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez, left, celebrates at the end of the seventh inning with first baseman Yuli Gurriel during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the host Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. AP photo by Charles Krupa / Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez, left, celebrates at the end of the seventh inning with first baseman Yuli Gurriel during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the host Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

By JIMMY GOLEN / The Associated Press October 20, 2021 5 min read

BOSTON – Framber Valdez lost his perfect game, then bounced the following pitch off the next batter’s leg.

Dusty Baker decided it was time to visit the mound and have a chat.

“That’s the time when you’ve really got to settle him down,” the Houston Astros manager said. “I said ‘Hey, you’re the best. Just be natural and do your thing.’ I didn’t say a whole bunch to him.”

It was enough to get Valdez through the inning – and more.

Perfect through four, the Houston left-hander took a two-hit shutout into the seventh and became the first pitcher this postseason to complete eight innings, leading the Astros to a 9-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series.