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Dustin May trying to ‘ride the highs’ after quality performance in Red Sox win vs. Astros
"I’ve had a lot of lows this year. So whenever I do have the good moments, I try to let my brain know that, 'Hey, you got it. It’s still in here, for sure.'"
Dustin May is riding the (recent) highs: Red Sox starter Dustin May put his best foot forward in the 14-1 win over the Astros on Tuesday, going six scoreless innings and striking out eight in the process. Having only recently been acquired by Boston in a deadline deal with the Dodgers, May showcased his excitement mid-game during various moments against Houston.
As it turns out, that’s an intentional choice.
“I definitely try to ride the highs,” May told reporters, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “I’ve had a lot of lows this year. So whenever I do have the good moments, I try to let my brain know that, ‘Hey, you got it. It’s still in here, for sure.'”
May’s emotions may have also had a positive impact on his velocity, which (as Smith noted) increased across the board. Boston managed Alex Cora said he was less focused on the MPH reading, and more on May’s mixing of pitches and, on a simpler level, “throwing strikes.”
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The 27-year-old May kept things in perspective.
“I haven’t had many highs this year or in the last three years,” said May, per The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey. “Just to be able to be pitching right now is a good thing in itself.”
“It was a lot of fun,” May concluded of getting the win in Houston.
May still has a combined 4.67 ERA in 2025 pitching for both Boston and Los Angeles. The difference for the Red Sox will be if he can continue to replicate his success from Tuesday.
Trivia: Dustin May’s first career MLB strikeout came in a start for the Dodgers against the Padres on Aug. 2, 2019. Can you name the player (based on the below hint) who he struck out?
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(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: This player was a 2021 Red Sox outfielder, hitting 31 home runs for Boston that season. He has played for seven MLB teams in his career, including (most recently) the Royals.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox rocked the Astros 14-1 on Tuesday to end the team’s three-game losing streak.
The two teams conclude the three-game series today in Houston at 7:10 p.m.
The Patriots play a second preseason game on Saturday in Minnesota against the Vikings at 1 p.m.
The Revolution also play on Saturday, hosting LAFC at Gillette Stadium a little after 7:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Alex Bregman, Carlos Narváez home runs power Red Sox to 14-1 win over Astros
- ‘I’m a dope’: 98.5’s Michael Felger says he was airlifted off Nantucket after bike accident
- Patriots 53-man roster projection 1.0: Who makes the cut after preseason opener?
- Patriots roster watch: 5 possible candidates for a surprise cut
- Report: Wyc Grousbeck is no longer staying on as Celtics governor
- Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240 million Hawaii real estate project
- Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins has surgery for torn ACL
- Cristiano Ronaldo gets engaged to longtime partner, Georgina Rodríguez
Condensed Red Sox highlights: A look back at Tuesday’s 14-1 demolition of the Astros.
On this day: In 1988, Dwight Evans went 4-for-5 with a triple and two home runs (12 total bases), finishing with seven RBIs in a 16-4 Red Sox rout of the Tigers. Boston combined for 19 hits in what was an American League record 24th consecutive win at home.
Daily highlight: An Angels triple play, started via (former Angel) Shohei Ohtani’s line drive.
Trivia answer: Hunter Renfroe
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