Benches and bullpens cleared after the seventh inning because Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris thought Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story was stealing signs as he stood on second base. Neris intentionally balked Story to third so he could get off second base and presumably stop looking at his grip and communicating to the plate.

After Astros RHP Hector Neris intentionally balked Trevor Story in the seventh inning, he got into a heated exchange with Red Sox 3B coach Kyle Hudson.

After a rocky start coming out of the All-Star break, the Red Sox are suddenly streaking again, winners of four straight and six of their last seven. Boston enters Sunday in second place in the AL East, having passed the Yankees both for that spot and for the first wild card position in the American League.