Astros Fall To Red Sox In Crazy Back And Forth Game 4

HOUSTON, TX — Were the Houston Astros robbed of a home run in Wednesdays game four of the ALCS? The Astros and their fans seem to think so, but the Boston Red Sox Mookie Betts says he had the ball all the way until a fan got in his way.

It was the bottom of the 1st inning and the Red Sox held a 2-0 lead. With two runners on base, the Astros Jose Altuve smacks what looks like a home run to right center field that would have put the Astros ahead 3-2.

Betts launches his body toward the fly ball with his glove over the right field fence to mingle with the waiting hands of fans hoping to catch the home run ball.

Betts misses, the ball falls to the ground, and the fans cheer, but only for a little while.

Right field umpire Joe West ruled that a fan reached over the fence into the field of play and interfered with the ball, which meant Altuve was out.

Altuve tossed his hands in the air in angry disbelief, the fans booed, but the call — with the backing of replay officials in New York — would stand.

Game four became a back and forth contest with both teams trading the lead and included another big home run fro the Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr in the 6th inning.

The back forth lead would eventually become the Red Sox permanently in the 9th inning.

With the bases loaded and two outs, the Red Sox Andrew Benintendi made a diving catch for the final out holding off a late Astros rally and winning 8-6.

The Red Sox now hold a 3-1 ALCS lead and are one game away from their first World Series appearance since 2013.

By the same token, the Astros, who were recently accused of cheating by the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox, are a game away from the end of their season and losing their chance to defend their World Series title.

To advance to the World Series, the Astros will have to win Thursday night at Minute Maid Park, and win the last two at Fenway Park.

Astros ace Justin Verlander takes the mound against the Red Sox David Price in Houston's final ALCS home stand at 7:09 p.m. CT.

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Image: HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: A fan and the Red Sox Mookie Betts #50 attempt to catch a ball hit by Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) in the first inning during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

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