HOUSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, sending the Boston Red Sox over the Houston Astros 2-1 Friday night.

Betts hit his team-leading 12th homer, and third in three games. He led off with a drive into the Crawford Boxes in left field, connecting against Will Harris (2-2) into the Crawford Boxes in left field.

Brian McCann tied for Houston in the seventh, homering into the upper deck in right field off Drew Pomeranz.

Joe Kelly (3-0) got two outs for the win. He retired Norichika Aoki on a liner to third with runners on second and third to end the seventh.

Craig Kimbrel threw a perfect ninth for his 19th save.

Mitch Moreland gave Boston a 1-0 lead with a single in the third that drove in Betts.

Pomeranz allowed four hits and struck out four in 6⅓ innings. He rebounded nicely after allowing six runs in 4⅓ innings in his last start.

Mike Fiers allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts in seven innings. He set down his final 10 batters.

The right-hander continued his string of good outings, allowing two runs or less in each of his last four starts.

TRAINER’S ROOM — Red Sox: INF Hanley Ramirez was out of the lineup Friday with a muscle spasm in his neck. . Moreland is playing through a fractured big toe on his left foot. ... RHP Carson Smith (Tommy John) will not make his scheduled rehab start Sunday due shoulder inflammation, manager John Farrell said.

Astros: RHP Charlie Morton (right lat strain) and RHP Collin McHugh (right elbow) each threw bullpen sessions. ... LHP Dallas Keuchel (neck discomfort) and RHP Lance McCullers (lower back discomfort) could begin playing catch soon, manager A.J. Hinch said. Hinch said he hopes to have them start a throwing program as early as this weekend. ... OF Josh Reddick (concussion) resumed baseball activities Friday, Hinch said.

UP NEXT — Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (3-8) makes his 15th start of the season Saturday looking to break a three-game losing streak and rebound after giving up 11 runs over his last two starts.

Astros: RHP David Paulino (0-0) will make his fourth start this season Saturday looking to bounce back after being tagged for five runs in four innings in his last outing.

]]>