HOUSTON — Former Astros star Alex Bregman received a standing ovation at Houston’s Daikin Park after a video tribute played on the Jumbotron before the game.

He again heard cheers when he stepped to the plate for the first time in the first inning, and he tipped his helmet to acknowledge the fan base he played in front of from 2016-24.

He then homered on the third pitch he saw of his first at-bat, igniting boos.

“It was great. I loved it. I loved it,” Bregman said. “I was hoping they would.”

The Red Sox lost 7-6 in Bregman’s return. The 31-year-old third baseman — who signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox in February — went 2-for-4.

Why did he want Astros fans to boo him in that situation?

“Just because it’s two good teams getting after it,” Bregman said. “

See Full Page