Red Sox 6, Astros 5: Where to even begin...

The Houston Astros didn't lose Sunday night’s nationally televised game because of a terrible night behind the plate for Greg Gibson. Or the showboating of Dustin Pedroia.

The Astros lost 6-5 to the Red Sox because they didn’t make the most of their opportunities and gave Boston too many chances.

Houston was 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Joe Musgrove gave up two home runs to Xander Bogaerts, who had 43 total in 539 games entering tonight. James Hoyt and Chris Devenski couldn't get the job done and gave up runs on the first batters they faced.

The series finale with the Red Sox was death by 1,000 paper cuts.

The worst part about all of this game was the Astros missed many chances to knock out David Price early, who was clearly battling an injury or a lack of command all game. But Price showed the value of a veteran front line starter, allowing just three runs on eight hits over five-plus innings.

Houston left eight runners on base including four innings with runners in scoring position against Price. The Astros had their chances but left all the food on the plate against Price.

Jake Marsinick and George Springer gave Houston a chance with back-to-back home runs in the sixth. But a groundball double play killed the threat in remaining part of the inning.

Tempers flared in the seventh inning when James Hoyt hit Mookie Betts and Pedroia with pitches in back-to-back at-bats. Pedroia took exception and made sure to jaw at everyone he could except the 6'6" Hoyt.

Devenski replaced Hoyt and proceeded to give up a RBI single to Bogaerts. Yuli Gurriel doubled to open the bottom of the seventh but he was strained at third base.

Springer, Jose Altuve, and Brian McCann worked walks to load the bases with one out in the eighth inning. Carlos Beltran singled to left, allowing Springer to score. Left fielder Andrew Benintendi gunned down Altuve at the plate to hold the Red Sox lead. The play was reviewed and held up.

Altuve was held up looking to see if the ball would drop and it made all the difference.

Gurriel still had a chance to tie the game with a runner in scoring position. Gurriel did not swing the bat but was still given three strikes on three balls that statcast had outside of the zone. Gurriel, of course, was upset and was ejected from the game.

The game ended with Derek Fisher be thrown out at second base because of course, the game ended in a strange way.