Romy Gonzalez hits a first-inning homer and Red Sox go on to beat Astros 7-3

BOSTON (AP) — Romy Gonzalez homered over the Green Monster on the first pitch faced by a Boston batter, Trevor Story added a two-run shot, and the Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-3 on Saturday.

Abraham Toro added a two-run drive — one of three homers the Red Sox hit over Fenway Park’s fabled left-field wall ­— and Story added an RBI double as Boston won its third straight.

Houston’s Christian Walker homered for the second straight day, a two-run shot off Walker Buehler in the first inning.

The benches and bullpens cleared when Astros reliever Héctor Neris yelled at the Red Sox dugout and third-base coach Kyle Hudson at the end of the seventh. But order was quickly restored.

After beating the AL West leaders on Roman Anthony’s walk-off single in the series opener on Friday night, the Red Sox erased a quick 2-0 deficit when Story hit his drive in a three-run third against Colton Gordon (4-4) that pushed Boston ahead 4-2.

Story’s shot hit the top of a billboard over the Monster seats and bounced out of Fenway after Rob Refsnyder’s RBI single.

Justin Wilson (3-1) came on in the fifth inning with runners on second and third with Boston leading 6-3 and struck out the only two batters he faced. Aroldis Chapman got the final two outs for his 20th save.

Gordon gave up six runs in four-plus innings.

Key moment

The Astros loaded the bases in the eighth against Jordan Hicks, but Carlos Correa struck out looking on a 99 mph fastball.

Key stat

Boston’s bullpen went 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Up next

Astros LHP Framber Valdez (11-4, 2.62 ERA) is set to face Red Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (7-2, 3.80) on Sunday in the series finale.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Boston Red Sox’s Rob Refsnyder hits an RBI single in the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Home plate umpire Gerry Davis, left, and Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) restrain Astros pitcher Hector Neris, center, at the end of the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Houston Astros’ Christian Walker (8) celebrates with Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a two run homer in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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