Anthony sends Sox to 4th walk-off wearing lucky Fenway Greens

BOSTON -- Between social media and mainstream media, a lot of negativity swirled around the Red Sox in the hours that passed after Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.

Why couldn’t chief baseball officer Craig Breslow add a frontline starting pitcher? Why didn’t the team acquire another bat? Were righty starter Dustin May and lefty reliever Steven Matz really enough in the way of additions to propel the club down the stretch?

Fretting turned to joy by Friday night, when Roman Anthony delivered a walk-off single that landed on the warning track in center to lift the Red Sox to a 2-1, 10-inning victory over the Astros.

It was the first career game-ending hit for Anthony, Boston’s prized rookie.

"It’s amazing. It's fun. I want to do it again already,” said the 21-year-old. “It's exciting. But credit to the fans. This place is just sold out every night. It makes it so fun to play in. And they're there the entire game, whether it's 12 innings, whatever it is. It’s awesome.”

To start the 10th against Astros lefty Bennett Sousa, Ceddanne Rafaela hit a swinging bunt in front of the plate and Astros catcher Yainer Diaz threw to third, but Wilyer Abreu was safe, putting two on with nobody out.

Anthony did what he needed to do with a 95.8-mph heater on a 2-2 pitch, sending a packed house home happy.

The win pushed the Red Sox to a season-high nine games above .500 (60-51), putting them four games behind the Blue Jays in the American League East. Boston is in possession of the second Wild Card while trailing the Yankees by just a half-game for the first spot.

The energy created by a thrilling game ran in contrast to the outside chatter that preceded the contest, which suggested the Red Sox could have done more at the Deadline.

The vibe, however, was different from manager Alex Cora and the 26 players inhabiting the clubhouse.

“Yeah, we’ve got a good baseball team,” said Cora. “I think Matz is going to help us from the bullpen, May is going to help us in the rotation. So now, it’s Aug. 1. Everything is in the past. We’ve just got to continue. We’ve got a shot to make something special here this year, in the Wild Card, in the division. We feel like we can compete with anybody, and we’ve got a real shot to win the division.”

Unlike the previous three seasons, when a post-Deadline letdown effect trickled to at least certain corners of the clubhouse, there seemed to be an air of confidence when the team re-gathered on Friday.

"I think it was business as usual,” said Anthony. “We weren't really worried about it going into [the Trade Deadline]. We have people up at the top, that's what their job is. We trust them fully, and we trust the squad that we have, regardless of the moves made. And we're excited to add the two new guys we have and continue to keep rolling.”

On paper, the Astros' Hunter Brown squaring off against Boston’s Cooper Criswell, who was making his first start of the season three days after being recalled from Triple-A Worcester, appeared like a mismatch in favor of Houston.

But Criswell went seven strong, matching Brown pitch for pitch.

These Red Sox have been pulling off magic at home, where they are now 35-21, and 12-2 since June 30.

“Today was tremendous. It was loud,” said Cora. “They were into every pitch the last two innings. It’s Aug. 1, and they know it. And some of them love their team. Others like their team. But at the end of the day, this is what it's all about, winning games and making this place uncomfortable. And I think they accomplished that tonight.”

Boston is now ready to embark on a 51-game march aimed at snapping the club’s three-year postseason drought.

“I think the team is a lot different than the last three [years],” said Cora. “We’re more complete, we’ve pitched better, our bullpen is in a great place.”

Of Boston’s nine walk-off wins this season, four have come on Fridays.

"A few years ago, it was the yellow uniforms. Now it's the green [City Connects]. Whatever it is, just make it fun again here, make it a madhouse,” said Cora. “The louder the better. And I tip my hat to them, because that was a fun atmosphere.”