HOUSTON — Jake Peavy refuses to blame his career-high eight-game losing streak on lack of offensive support despite Boston averaging just 1.5 runs a game in those starts.

“It’s just finding a way to win on my day,” he said after Boston’s 3-2 loss to Houston on Saturday. “I’ve pitched in tight games my whole career, and I’ve been able to win. I’ve got to find a way to get better.”

Jason Castro hit a two-run homer and Chris Carter had a tiebreaking infield single in the eighth inning to give the Astros the victory.

Jose Altuve doubled to open the eighth and chase Peavy (1-8). Altuve advanced to third on a groundout before George Springer was intentionally walked and Jon Singleton struck out.

Carter then hit a grounder off Junichi Tazawa to shortstop Brock Holt. Springer just beat Holt’s throw to second in a force attempt, allowing Altuve to score.

Peavy allowed six hits and three runs with a season-high nine strikeouts in seven-plus innings. He hasn’t won since April 25.

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“The way he’s pitched isn’t reflected in his won-loss record,” Red Sox Manager John Farrell said. “He can only control so much, and what he was able to control (Saturday), he was outstanding at, and that was leaving guys in scoring position.”

Catcher David Ross lamented that they weren’t able to do more to help Peavy get the win Saturday.

“He did a great job,” Ross said. “We just didn’t score enough runs for him.”

Josh Fields (2-4) pitched 12/3 scoreless innings for the win and Chad Qualls got two outs for his 10th save. The Astros turned a double play to end the game and Boston challenged the play at first, but it was upheld.

Castro gave Houston an early lead with his home run in the third inning before David Ortiz cut it to 2-1 with a shot in the fourth. He has now hit at least 20 homers in 13 straight seasons.

The Red Sox tied it on a sacrifice fly by Dustin Pedroia in the seventh.

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Houston starter Brett Oberholtzer allowed two runs and tied a season high with 11 hits in 61/3 innings.

Carter, who homered twice on Friday night, extended his career-best hitting streak to eight games and has six homers and 10 RBI in that span. Altuve finished with two hits and leads the majors with 130.

Altuve doubled with two outs in the third inning before Castro’s homer to right field, which sailed just out of reach of leaping right fielder Mookie Betts and into the seats, gave Houston a 2-0 lead.

Ortiz sent the first pitch of the fourth inning several rows back into the seats in right field to get Boston within one.

Jackie Bradley Jr. singled to start the fifth inning before consecutive singles by Holt and Pedroia loaded the bases with one out. Oberholtzer escaped the jam when Ortiz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Bradley and Betts hit back-to-back singles to start the seventh before Oberholtzer was replaced by Fields with one out.

Pedroia’s sacrifice fly came next to tie it before Houston intentionally walked Ortiz. Fields limited the damage by striking out Mike Napoli.


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