Bosox put World Series champs Astros on the brink

THE Boston Red Sox are one win away from a World Series berth after a wild 8-6 victory over the reigning champions Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.

The Red Sox took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series, pushing last season’s winners to the brink of elimination in Houston in a game marked by a controversial denial of what might have been an Astros homer.

Boston seized the initiative in the see-saw battle with two runs in the top of the first inning on Wednesday. In the bottom of the frame, Houston’s Jose Altuve belted what looked to be a game-tying two-run homer to right field off Rick Porcello.

Mookie Betts leapt at the wall but officials ruled that fans in the stands reached out and interfered with the play — a ruling that was upheld on review.

The Red Sox trailed 4-5 heading into the sixth when Jack Bradley Jr struck for Boston, lasering a two-out, first pitch from Houston’s Josh James into the right field seats for a two-run homer that put Boston up 6-5. The Red Sox wouldn’t trail again.

The winner of the series will face the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers in the MLB’s championship showcase.

The Dodgers, beaten by the Astros in last year’s World Series, were one win away from a return trip after a 5-2 victory over the Brewers in Los Angeles.