HOUSTON (Interstat) — On a night when the numbers and the oddsmakers favored the visiting Boston Red Sox, the Houston Astros authored a decisive rebuttal.

Powered by a dominant start from Lance McCullers Jr. and a perfect night from Jose Altuve, the Astros rolled to an 8-1 victory over the Red Sox on Monday at Daikin Park, handing Boston its third straight loss.

A crowd of 23,532 watched as the Astros methodically built their lead, scoring in six of their eight offensive frames while their pitching staff stifled a Red Sox lineup that had been projected for a far more productive evening. Interstat’s game simulator had forecast an 8-4 Boston win, and the Red Sox entered as a 1.5-run favorite. The combined nine runs fell under the over/under line of 8.5.

The most important sequence of the game arrived in the third inning, transforming a tight contest into a comfortable Astros lead. After scratching across a single run on a double play in the first, Houston’s offense ignited against Boston starter Ranger Suarez. Altuve led off with a single, setting the stage for Yordan Alvarez. The designated hitter then launched a two-run homer to right field, his second of the young season, giving the Astros a 3-0 advantage and shifting the game’s momentum firmly in their favor. That swing provided all the support McCullers would ultimately need.

McCullers, making his first start of 2026, was the story for Houston. The right-hander commanded the game for seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out nine and walking one. He efficiently navigated the Boston order, inducing three double-play grounders to erase any potential threats. His performance earned him the win, moving his record to 1-0.

Boston’s lone run came in the seventh, briefly interrupting the Astros’ flow. After a successful challenge turned a Trevor Story out into a double, Jarren Duran walked. Wilyer Abreu then laced a ground-rule double to right field, scoring Duran and cutting the deficit to 5-1. McCullers, however, stranded two runners in scoring position by striking out pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida to end the inning.

Any thought of a Boston rally was swiftly extinguished in the bottom of the seventh. Altuve led off with a solo home run to left field, his first of the year, immediately restoring the five-run cushion. Later in the inning, Christian Walker drove in Carlos Correa with an RBI double to make it 7-1.

Altuve was not finished. In the eighth inning, facing reliever Johan Oviedo, the veteran second baseman connected for his second homer of the night, a solo shot to left to cap the scoring at 8-1. Altuve finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, two RBIs, and three runs scored.

Houston’s bullpen sealed the win with authority. Reliever Ryan Weiss pitched two perfect innings, striking out three, to close out the game.

For Boston, the offensive struggles that plagued them in two weekend losses in Cincinnati continued. They managed only four hits total and went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Starter Ranger Suarez took the loss, falling to 0-1 after surrendering four runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. Oviedo, in relief, was charged with four runs over 3 2/3 innings.

The victory improved Houston’s record to 3-2, while Boston fell to 1-3. The two teams will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night in Houston.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: Boston will look to even the series Tuesday night at Daikin Park. A starter for the game was not immediately announced.

Astros: Houston will go for the series win Tuesday. Their scheduled starter was also not announced.