ALCS Game 1 live updates

A game of matchups — 10:21 p.m.

Alex Cora is playing the bullpen matchup game. Adam Ottavino retired four righthanded hitters. Now Josh Taylor gets the fifth inning with two lefty hitters due up. He held lefties to a miniscule .381 OPS this season. The crowd is getting louder, trying to push the Astros back into the game.

Sox could have more — 10:09 p.m.

The Sox lead 3-1. Hey, good for them. But it could be a lot more. They’re 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position through four innings and have left six runners on base. Kiké Hernández doubled with two outs in the fourth before Christian Javier struck out Kyle Schwarber and Xander Bogaerts.

Hernández is 13 of 26 in the postseason. That’s a Red Sox record for six games. David Ortiz had 12 in the first six games in 2004.

Sale’s night is over — 9:52 p.m.

Chris Sale is done for the night. His line: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. 61 pitches/37 strikes.

Was he good? No. Was he better than he was in his last three starts going back to the regular season? Yes. He left with a 3-1 lead, which is what the Sox cared about. Alex Cora’s gamble wasn’t a resounding success but it did the job. 

Boy, if the Sox can steal this game with Nate Eovaldi going tomorrow afternoon …

Who would’ve thought? — 9:36 p.m.

The first starter pulled in this game is … Framber Valdez? Yep, he allowed three runs in the third inning. After Kiké Hernández’s homer, Xander Bogaerts walked and Rafael Devers singled. J.D. Martinez grounded a ball over the mound that should have been a double play but Jose Altuve booted it. That allowed a run to score before Hunter Renfroe doubled for his first RBI of this postseason. The Sox had a chance for more but Valdez struck out Alex Verdugo and righthanded reliever Yimi Garcia struck out Christian Arroyo.

It’s 3-1 Sox.

Red Sox in front — 9:16 p.m.

Houston’s Jose Altuve misplayed a grounder and the Red Sox took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, then made it 3-1 when Hunter Renfroe doubled down the third base line.

Righthander Yimi García has replaced Framber Valdez on the mound for Houston.

Hernández ties it up — 9:10 p.m.

Chris Sale is through two innings thanks to Kiké Hernández.

Sale loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a wayward fastball that hit Martín Maldonado. He then picked up his pace and energy and struck out Jose Altuve on four pitches. Michael Brantley followed with a flare to center field that would have scored two runs if not for Hernández’s diving Andrew Benintendi-like catch. Sale escaped the jam but has thrown 45 pitches.

Hernández then led off the third inning with a homer to left center. Reggie Jackson is here tonight but it’s Hernández who is Mr. October.

Astros on the board — 8:38 p.m.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Yordan Alvarez’s sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Jose Altuve to score from third. Altuve led off with a walk and advanced on a single and a wild pitch.

It was a far too eventful first inning for Chris…