HOUSTON (AP) — Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi was minutes away from a pregame meeting with catcher Christian Vázquez to go over the Houston scouting report when he learned that Vázquez wouldn’t be competing with the Red Sox on Monday night because he had become a member of the Astros.
Eovaldi was able to shake off the surprise and disappointment that Vázquez had been traded and turn in a solid start for the Red Sox in a 3-2 win over the Astros.
“He means a lot to us,” Eovaldi said of Vázquez, who was the longest-tenured player on the team. “It’s one of those friendships that’s never going to be gone, even though he’s not with us now. But it’s definitely difficult having to say bye to him.”
Jarren Duran homered and drove in a career-high three RBIs, as the Red Sox overcame sloppy fielding early to get the victory on a day the Astros made a pair of important trades.
Along with Vázquez, Houston acquired first baseman Trey Mancini from the Baltimore Orioles in a three-team trade on the eve of the deadline.
“We’re bringing in a couple quality guys, one guy that’s been in the playoffs and one guy wanting to get to the playoffs,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Both of them are good players, both of them I heard are excellent teammates and veterans that can help our ball club … both of them picked up quite a few games in the standings and I’m hoping that they’re happy about the trade.”
Vázquez was in the Red Sox lineup before being scratched just minutes before the game. Now, with a move to the other clubhouse at Minute Maid Park, he’ll try to help the Astros make another deep playoff push.
“When the news broke and it was true, it was sad,” Eovaldi said. “But, at the same time, you get prepared to go out there and get to do your…