After suffering two heavy defeats at the hands of the Boston Red Sox, the Houston Astros made a strong statement in Game 4. Although both teams found themselves going scoreless for several innings, the latter stepped up in the final inning to tie the ALCS.

Among their key players on the night featured Jason Castro, who made a game-changing play in the top of the ninth inning yesterday.

Jason Castro scored crucial RBI in the clutch for the Houston Astros

Alex Bregman kicked off the scoring for the Astros, smashing a home run in the top of the first inning itself. However, the Red Sox responded in the same inning through Xander Bogaerts, who smashed a two-run home run to give them a 2-1 lead.

The scoreline stayed the same until the top of the eighth inning, where the Astros finally tied the game courtesy of a solo home run from José Altuve. From this point on, the AL West champions never looked back.

Castro, who returned to the Astros this season after five years, began their dominant hitting display in the ninth inning. Despite the Red Sox scoring two outs, the 34-year-old scored an RBI which gave the Astros a 3-2 lead.

Top Stories

Kyle Tucker’s Controversial Call Draws Scrutiny as Grim Free Agency Update Emerges, Per Top Insider

Orioles to Spoil Another Mets Plan as David Stearns Risks Losing $168M Star After Pete Alonso Heartbreak: Insider

Blue Jays’ Ketel Marte Dream Fades Fast as $1.25B AL Rival Plots Major Heist, Per Insider

Mets World Series Champion Turns On David Stearns After Team Snubs Pete Alonso in Major Offseason Misstep

American League East Rivals Put on Alert as Brian Cashman Plots Bold Yankees Trade Deadline Push, Per Insider

During this year’s regular season, Castro scored a modest 22 runs and 21 RBI in 66 games. However, this hit could be his biggest this season, especially given the pressure that was on his shoulders. Michael Brantley added on to Castro’s RBI by driving in three more runs. This moved the Astros up 6-2, and they weren’t done just yet.

They added three more runs as Yordan Álvarez, Carlos Correa and Kyle Tucker scored one RBI each. The game ended with the same scoreline as the end of the top of the ninth inning, which read 9-2.

Game 5 of the ALCS to take place later today

With the series perfectly balanced, Game 5 will prove to be crucial in their bids to make the World Series. Not only is it the last game at Boston in this year’s ALCS, but the loser will find themselves in a do-or-die situation in Game 6.

Will the Astros take a critical 3-2 lead to Houston after today’s game? Or will they find themselves under immense pressure in front of their fans at the Minute Maid Park?

READ MORE: WATCH: Furious Boston Red Sox Manager Nearly Throws Hands at Umpire for Controversial Call