Lance McCullers shines in season debut, 7 strong innings as Astros beat Red Sox

His big game came after he went 2-5 with a career-high 6.51 ERA in 16 appearances last season.

“Last year was obviously tough and I think I just carried the weight every start and so this year I’ve just been just really focused on just trying to not worry about the past or the future and just enjoy the moment,” he said. “Go out there and compete as hard as I can.”

The right-hander’s performance was big for a team that had to rely on its bullpen a lot through the first four games.

“That’s what the Astros needed right there,” manager Joe Espada said. “And Lance delivered.”

McCullers retired the first seven batters before Carlos Narváez singled with one out in the third. But Ceddanne Rafaela grounded into a double play to end the inning.

McCullers struck out the side in the fourth and fanned Willson Contreras to open the fifth. Wilyer Abreu singled after that, but Caleb Durbin grounded into a double play to end the inning.

There were runners at first and third with two outs in the seventh when Abreu hit a ground-rule double to make it 5-1.

Houston’s Carlos Correa, who is close friends with McCullers, was thrilled to see his buddy have such a great game after all he’s been through.

“For him to be in that position to go out there and perform for this team, it means the world, man,” Correa said. “He already got paid and he didn’t sit back through all the injuries, through all the struggles, through all the ups and downs. He worked really hard this offseason and I saw it firsthand.”

Correa said McCullers, who helped Houston to a World Series win in 2017 before his injuries began piling up, is a more complete pitcher as he’s evolved in the wake of his setbacks. And he raved about his performance Monday.

“It was beautiful,” he said. “It was a masterpiece.”

Jose Altuve, who tied a career-high with four hits and homered twice in the 8-1 victory, was excited to see his teammates have such a great night.

“He worked hard to be in the position he is in right now, and I know he cares about the team, he cares about winning,” Altuve said. “And I really think he has everything he needs to help us win this year and we’re excited for him and we need more games like this.”

When McCullers struck out Masataka Yoshida on a foul tip on his 96th pitch Monday night, he screamed and pumped his fist before heading to the dugout.

In that moment there was a mixture of excitement and relief for the 32-year-old.

“Just the way the game played out, Joe letting me stay out there and I really wanted to prove him right,” McCullers said. “Just making big pitches and it was just a big moment and I knew I was done.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb