Houston Sports Fans Stung By Astros, Texans Losses

HOUSTON, TX — A playoff loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park by the Houston Astros, and possibly season ending injuries to the Houston Texans J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, made it a tough day to be a Houston sports fan.

In game three of the ALDS, the Houston Astros rolled into Fenway Park with the momentum of a 2-0 lead in the five-game ALDS series, with the hope of sweeping the Red Sox and getting a little rest before they face the winner of the Cleveland Indians-New York Yankees series.

Watch: Houston Sports Fans Stung By Astros, Texans Losses

In fact, things looked promising for the Astros when they took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. (Want to get daily news updates and news of other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

RELATED: Red Sox Throttle Astros, Game 4 Of ALDS On Monday

However, in the third inning the Red Sox came back, and took a 4-3 lead on Rafael Devers’ two-run homer.

The Red Sox held that 4-3 score and broke things open in the seventh inning when they exploded for six more runs, driving the score to 10-3 ending any hope of a sweep.

Texans fans were hopeful that the sting of defeat would be eased with a victory over the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs at NRG stadium Sunday night, but fans hopes were dashed by a 42-34 defeat, and the loss of two of the team’s defensive stars on the same first quarter series.

Mercilus went down first, with what was initially described as a chest injury, which was later revealed to be a torn pectoral muscle that will require season-ending surgery.

Two plays later, Watt went down with what was initially described as a leg injury.

Watt was helped off the field and unable to put any weight on his left leg, and taken to the blue tent on the sideline for an initial evaluation.

He was later carted off the field to x-ray, and then taken to a Houston area hospital in a waiting ambulance, where doctors determined Watt had fractured his tibial plateau, located beneath his knee, and will require season-ending surgery.

It will be the second year in a row that Watt will miss significant playing time.

Last year, Watt was injured in the third game of the 2016 season and required season-ending back surgery.

In his absence, Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney kept the defense one of the top units in the NFL, but with Mercilus out, fans are wondering who will be able to make an impact in his place this season.

The Astros, meanwhile, were able to wrap up the ALDS defeating the Boston SRed Sox 5-4 Monday afternoon and will advance to the Amercan League Championship Series.

Image: Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) is helped off the field after he was injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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