Walker, Matthews' clutch homers back Arrighetti's solid start

BOSTON -- Christian Walker had three hits, including his eighth homer of the season, Brice Matthews clubbed a three-run homer and Spencer Arrighetti won his fourth start in a row to send the Astros to a 6-3 victory over the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Matthews homered over the Green Monster in the fourth inning to give the Astros a 4-0 lead, and Walker’s homer to left field in the fifth stretched Houston’s advantage to 6-0. Walker had an RBI single in the first inning and singled and scored ahead of Matthews’ homer in the fourth.

Walker went 3-for-4 before leaving the game in the ninth inning when he was struck in the head by a 93.3 mph fastball thrown by Boston reliever Tyler Samaniego.

Arrighetti improved to 4-0 in four starts this year after beginning the season in the Minor Leagues. He carried a shutout in the fifth inning Saturday before giving up a run on a sac fly off the bat of Willson Contreras. Matthews made a terrific leaping catch at the wall in center to catch Contreras’ fly ball and prevent more damage.

That was one of three great defensive plays from the Astros, including back-to-back gems in the sixth. Cam Smith made a long run in right field to track down a Ceddane Rafaela fly ball, and Carlos Correa robbed Connor Wong with a diving catch at shortstop moments later to end the inning.

Arrighetti lowered his ERA to 1.96 in 23 innings this season by holding Boston to one run, five hits and a career-high-tying five walks in five innings. Arrighetti has walked at least four batters in three of his first four starts, giving him 14 walks for the season.