The Boston Red Sox welcomed the Philadelphia Phillies to Fenway Park for their third and final game of the series on Thursday, and Boston earned a 9-3 win and a series victory.
Boston's offense exploded in this one, scoring nine runs on 14 hits and three walks. Runs came from Jarren Duran (2-for-4 with a walk), Tyler O'Neill (2-for-5 with a three-run home run), David Hamilton (1-for-5), Enmanuel Valdez (2-for-4), Reese McGuire (1-for-3) and Dominic Smith (1-for-2 with a walk).
Starter Tanner Houck had a four-run cushion early, but he gave up three runs in the fourth to tighten it up. Luckily Boston, scored five unanswered, including four in the bottom of the fourth and one more in the sixth.
Houck finished the day allowing just those three runs on eight hits while striking out five. He didn't have his best stuff, but he was able to get the job done and earn the win. Brad Keller followed with three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and a walk to record the save.
This win moves Boston to 35-34 on the season and 16-19 at Fenway, as they take two games out of the three-game set from the best team in the National League. The Red Sox will remain at home after Thursday with a three-game series with the best team in the American League, the New York Yankees, starting on Friday.
