Astros’ title defense ends with ALCS loss to Sox

After the Astros charged into Fenway Park and stole Game 1 of the AL Championship Series, the Red Sox stopped the back-to-back tour cold in its tracks with the kind of dominating pitching and relentless offense that Houston hoped would be its ticket into the Fall Classic. Behind six scoreless innings from an overpowering David Price and homers from J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers off ace righty Justin Verlander, the Red Sox eliminated the defending champs with a 4-1 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night at Minute Maid Park, ending the Astros’ reign as World Series champs.