Astros end Red Sox season with win in Game 4

BOSTON — Josh Reddick hit a single to left field off Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel to knock in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and the Astros went on to beat the Red Sox 5-4 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series.

The loss to Houston ends the Red Sox season, as the Astros advance to the American League Championship Series.

Houston jumped out to an early lead off Red Sox starter Rick Porcello and led 2-1 into the fifth inning. Chris Sale relieved Porcello in the fourth inning, while Justin Verlander relieved Astros starter Charlie Morton in the fifth inning.

Verlander surrendered a go-ahead two-run home run to Andrew Benintendi in the fifth inning and the Red Sox held a 3-2 lead until the top of the eighth, when Alex Bregman hit a solo shot to left off Sale. The winning run was also charged to Sale, who struck out six batters while throwing 72 pitches on three days rest.

Houston scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth against Kimbrel when Carlos Beltran doubled off the wall in left, scoring Marwin Gonzalez to make it 5-3.

Rafael Devers gave Sox fans a reason for hope when he led off the bottom of the ninth with an inside-the-park home run, but Astros closer Ken Giles retired three straight batters to seal a 5-4 win.

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