HOUSTON — Chris Carter hit a two-run homer and rookie Carlos Correa drove in two runs Tuesday night as the Houston Astros used a big fifth inning to roll to an 8-3 victory against Boston, extending the Red Sox’s losing streak to six games.

Rookie Vince Velasquez (1-1) allowed seven hits and three runs for his first career win in his seventh major league start. He was recalled Tuesday from Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday.
The Astros trailed by two before a four-run fifth where they scored two runs on an error before Correa’s ground-rule RBI double made it 4-3. An RBI single by Evan Gattis wrapped up the scoring in the fifth before Carter’s shot to the bullpen in right-center field extended the lead to 7-3 in the sixth.

Boston starter Brian Johnson (0-1) allowed three hits and four runs with four walks in 41/3 innings in his major league debut. He was 8-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 16 starts at Triple-A Pawtucket.
Carter returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sprained right ankle. The designated hitter was in an 0-for-20 slump before a single in the fifth inning that was his first hit since July 3. He finished with two hits for the first multihit game since June 27 for the struggling slugger, who is hitting .190.

Johnson had retired eight straight before Carter and L.J. Hoes hit consecutive singles with no outs in the fifth. Jake Marisnick grounded into a forceout, then stole second base. The throw from catcher Ryan Hanigan bounced off his arm and into the outfield for an error to allow Carter and Marisnick to score and make it 3-3.

Jose Altuve drew a walk to chase Johnson. He was replaced by Justin Masterson, who plunked Marwin Gonzalez in the leg. Correa’s ground-rule double, which bounced into the stands down the right-field line, scored Altuve to put Houston on top.

An infield single by Gattis allowed Gonzalez to score and push the lead to 5-3.

Correa, who has a career-long six-game hitting streak, put Houston up 1-0 with a sacrifice fly in the first.

Velasquez struck out the side in the second before running into trouble in the third. Alejandro De Aza singled and Hanigan doubled with no outs. Mookie Betts doubled to right field to score them both and give Boston a 2-1 lead. Xander Bogaerts’ RBI single pushed the lead to 3-1.

NOTES: Astros infielder Jed Lowrie, who hasn’t played since April 27 because of a torn ligament in his thumb, will begin a rehabilitation assignment Wednesday at Double-A Corpus Christi. Since he’s been out for so long he will need several games in the minors before returning to the team, and will see work at both third base and shortstop in the stint. … Joe Kelly opposes Collin McHugh when the series continues Wednesday. Kelly has had a tough time in his career against the Astros, going 0-1 with an 11.81 ERA in three appearances against Houston. McHugh is tied for third in the American League with 10 wins and he has a 4.35 ERA.