Red Sox put the champs to sword

Los Angeles – David Price pitched six shutout innings and Rafael Devers clubbed a three-run homer as the Boston Red Sox booked a World Series berth with a 4-1 win over defending champions Houston Astros on Thursday.

Price overcame his post-season misery and the Boston offence delivered a pair of homers in support as the Red Sox clinched the American League pennant for the first time since 2013.

Devers hit his homer in the sixth and JD Martinez belted a towering solo shot in the third inning for Boston.

Left fielder Andrew Benintendi caught a long fly for the final out of the series for Boston, who ended an 86year championship drought back in 2004.

The last time the Red Sox beat the St Louis Cardinals in six games. –