The Red Sox suffered a 6-4 setback to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, with starter Garrett Crochet struggling through five innings in what served as a reminder that spring training games still matter when evaluating roster construction. Carlos Correa's three-run homer proved to be the difference maker as the Astros pulled away from a scrappy Sox lineup that showed flashes of offensive potential despite the loss.
Crochet Shows Rust in Spring Outing
Garrett Crochet, expected to be a key piece of the Red Sox rotation, labored through five innings while surrendering six hits and four earned runs. The lefty did flash his strikeout potential with seven punchouts and showed improved command by not issuing a single walk, but the damage came in bunches against Houston's veteran lineup.
"The strikeouts are encouraging, and the zero walks tell you his stuff is there," said one observer. "But giving up four earned runs in five innings isn't going to cut it when the games count." Crochet's performance highlighted the ongoing questions about the Sox rotation depth as opening day approaches.
Correa's Three-Run Shot Breaks Game Open
The turning point came when former All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa took Crochet deep for a three-run homer, going 1-for-4 with three RBIs in a performance that showcased why Houston remains dangerous. Christian Vázquez, the former Red Sox catcher, also went yard against his old club with a solo shot, adding insult to injury in what became a 4-1 Astros advantage.
Yordan Alvarez contributed with a 2-for-3 performance, continuing to torment Red Sox pitching as he's done throughout his career. The Astros built their lead methodically against Crochet before their bullpen locked things down.
Red Sox Offense Shows Fight Despite Loss
The bright spots for Boston came from some unexpected sources. Wilyer Abreu launched a solo homer and finished 2-for-4, showing the kind of power potential that could make him a factor in 2026. Top prospect Roman Anthony made his presence felt with a pinch-hit solo homer, going 1-for-1 in limited action that nonetheless caught everyone's attention.
Connor Wong continued his strong spring with a 2-for-3 performance, providing the kind of consistent contact that could earn him more playing time when the regular season begins. The offense managed nine hits overall, showing they could generate baserunners even in defeat.
Bullpen Shows Mixed Results
After Crochet's departure, the Red Sox bullpen had moments of effectiveness and concern. Greg Weissert tossed a clean inning with one strikeout, while Garrett Whitlock worked around two walks in a scoreless frame. Danny Coulombe surrendered one earned run on one hit in his inning of work.
For Houston, Mike Burrows earned the victory with five innings of work, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out six. Bryan Abreu closed things out for the save, punching out three batters in the ninth inning.
What's Next
This loss drops the Red Sox to another disappointing spring training result, but the focus remains on individual player development and roster evaluation. Crochet's performance raises questions about his readiness for a significant role, while Anthony's power display adds intrigue to the prospect conversation.
The Sox need to find more consistency from their projected starters if they want to compete in what figures to be a competitive American League East. Tuesday's result serves as a reminder that spring training games, while not counting in the standings, still provide valuable insights into where this team stands heading into the regular season.
