BOSTON (Interstat) — Cam Smith hit a two-run single off the Green Monster in the 10th inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park. The Astros took two of three in the series, improving to 14-21, while the Red Sox fell to 13-21. The game lasted 3 hours, 24 minutes before a crowd of 35,406. Smith’s hit came with two outs and the bases loaded. Braden Shewmake scored from third and Jose Altuve from second on the sharp line drive to left field. The play was upheld after a Houston challenge on a tag at the plate. Smith finished with two hits, including a single in the second inning. Houston had taken a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Brice Matthews that scored Christian Walker. The run came on a double by Altuve and a fly ball that allowed Walker to tag and score, though Altuve was thrown out at third on the play. Boston’s only run came in the fifth inning when Jarren Duran hit a solo home run to right field, his third of the season and second in three games. Duran also singled in the first inning and finished 2 for 5. The Red Sox threatened repeatedly but failed to capitalize. They left 13 runners on base and went 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position. In the ninth inning, Boston had a chance when Willson Contreras singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu, but Roman Anthony grounded out to end the inning. Houston’s pitching staff combined for 16 strikeouts, 58 balls and 16 balls in play. Boston’s pitchers had 21 strikeouts, 62 balls and 21 balls in play. Bryan Abreu earned the win, pitching two innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. He improved to 1-2. Zack Kelly took the loss, falling to 0-2. Kelly allowed the two runs in the 10th, though neither was earned due to his own fielding error. Cody Bolton threw 2 1/3 innings of relief for Houston, giving up four hits with three strikeouts. AJ Blubaugh started for the Astros and went 3 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out five. For Boston, Ranger Suarez started and tossed four innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs with three strikeouts. Garrett Whitlock worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a scoreless eighth. Jovani Morán and Enyel De Los Santos also contributed scoreless outings. Steven Okert pitched a scoreless inning for Houston. The Astros opened the scoring in the sixth after a scoreless first five innings. Houston had runners on first and second with one out when Matthews hit a fly ball that Duran caught in left field, and Walker scored from third. Duran’s throw to catcher Carlos Narváez caught Altuve trying to advance to third, ending the inning. Boston had a chance in the bottom of the sixth after loading the bases with two singles and a hit batter, but Carlos Narváez struck out and Caleb Durbin popped out. The Red Sox again threatened in the eighth when Masataka Yoshida singled, but Marcelo Mayer struck out and Ceddanne Rafaela flied out. In the top of the 10th, Isaac Paredes walked and Braden Shewmake reached on a fielder’s choice and an error by Kelly. Altuve then grounded into a double play that wiped out the lead runner at home and Paredes at third, but Shewmake advanced to second. Altuve took first on the play. Brice Matthews walked to load the bases, and Smith delivered the decisive hit. Houston won Saturday’s game 6-3 after losing Friday’s opener 3-1. The Astros have won two of their last three games overall. Boston has lost three of its last four. Houston returns home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, while Boston travels to Detroit to face the Tigers. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Houston 4, Boston 3. The ELO system gave Boston a 57.10 percent win probability. The Red Sox were installed as pregame favorites with a spread of minus 1.5. The total of four runs went over the over/under line of 8.5.

Astros at Red Sox Preview BOSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox conclude their four-game series Sunday at Fenway Park, with both teams searching for traction in the early season. Houston (13-21) enters on a high note after a 6-3 victory Saturday, snapping a three-game skid. Boston (13-20) has lost four of its last five. Sunday’s game, scheduled for the afternoon, carries a 53-degree forecast with rain likely. Left-hander Ranger Suarez (2-2) takes the mound for Houston. He aims to build consistency for a rotation that has struggled. Boston’s starter has not been announced. Players to Watch Houston right-hander Spencer Arrighetti has been dominant in relief, earning wins in his last four appearances. In Saturday’s win, he pitched 5 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts. Over his past four outings, spanning 23 innings, Arrighetti has a 1.57 ERA with 25 strikeouts. Boston reliever Ryan Watson has been a bright spot. Despite the team’s struggles, Watson delivered 3 scoreless innings Saturday, allowing 3 hits with 4 strikeouts. Over his last three appearances, he has not allowed an earned run in 5 2/3 innings. Recent History Houston has won two of the first three games in this series. The Astros took the opener 1-3 on Friday before Saturday’s victory. Overall, Houston has won four of the last five meetings dating to March 30, including a three-game sweep in Houston. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Astros victory. What’s at Stake Both teams are near the bottom of their divisions. Houston sits fifth in the American League West, nine games behind Seattle. Boston is last in the AL East, 8 ½ games back of the Yankees. For the Astros, Christian Walker and Brice Matthews provided the offense Saturday. Walker went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Matthews added two hits and three RBIs. For the Red Sox, Wilyer Abreu went 2 for 3 with an RBI in Saturday’s loss. Tyler Samaniego tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief. With rain in the forecast, both bullpens could be tested. Houston’s Suarez will look to pitch deep into the game, while Boston hopes for a stronger start after using five relievers Saturday.