BOSTON -- Red Sox manager John Farrell says the math remains simple for his team after Boston failed again to clinch the American League East on Friday night.

"The obvious thing is to go out and put together a solid game and win," Farrell said after the Houston Astros beat the Red Sox for the second straight night, winning 3-2 to leave Boston's magic number for a second straight division title at one.

"Our destiny is controlled by us, particularly as it relates to the final two days in the division. We've gotta go out and win a game."

That's not easy against a team that reached 100 wins for the second time in the 56-year history of the franchise Friday -- and also kept alive its chance to finish with the best record in the AL.

"We'd like 102 (wins) plus 11 in October," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

With the victory, Houston remained a game behind the Cleveland Indians for top seed -- a lead that is actually two games because Cleveland owns the tie-breaker with a 5-1 win of the season series.

Boston winning its division and Houston not catching Cleveland means the Astros and Red Sox will meet in the AL Division Series.

Alex Bregman had an RBI single and two-run homer among his three hits and Charlie Morton (14-7) and four relievers combined on a four-hitter in Houston's fifth straight win.

"It was fun. It was a fun game to be part of," said Bregman, who has driven in 11 runs during a six-game RBI streak.

Said Hinch: "These people were going crazy here. It was a close game. Obviously, some really big moments. We won a lot of them, they won a couple of them. It's as close to a playoff game as you're gonna get."

Ken Giles pitched the ninth for his 34th save, yielding a two-out double to Hanley Ramirez before Rafael Devers grounded out to end it.

Ramirez grounded out with the bases loaded and two out in the sixth inning and is 0-for-9 on the season with the bases loaded and two out.

In the eighth, pinch runner Brock Holt tried to take second on a ball in the dirt and was nailed by Juan Centeno, who had just entered the game for defense.

"I thought a very good read on the dirt ball," Farrell said. "That's what he's trained to do. and there was no hesitation on his part. ... You know what? It's an inch away from being an advancement of 90 feet, so ... that is something that is drilled from the first day of spring training, I have no issue with him off on the read that he got."

Asked if he has to remind himself his team is still in the driver's seat, Boston's Mookie Betts said, "Yeah, it's just gotta go win one game. Nobody said it's gonna be easy. If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun. ... We just gotta go win one game."

Doug Fister (5-9) took the loss for Boston but pitched well enough to keep his name in possible playoff contention.

Morton worked the first 5 1/3 innings and has won three straight, yielding four runs in 18 1/3 innings.

"Charlie was good, he was very good early," Hinch said. "I took him out almost in a playoff atmosphere. We wanted to get a couple of matchups to take a look at. He had plenty left in the tank."

Said Morton: "This is the first time I've pitched, first time I've been here as a professional. It was a big deal for me too. It was fun."

Devers had an RBI double and Dustin Pedroia an RBI groundout for the Red Sox, who couldn't erase a three-run deficit.

Fister had allowed first-inning runs in seven consecutive starts and the Red Sox were guilty of the same in five straight and six of their last seven. And when the Astros put runners on second and third with nobody out in the first, it looked like it would happen again -- but Fister escaped and didn't fall behind until the third.

NOTES: Red Sox INF Eduardo Nunez, out with a knee injury, will run and take batting practice Sunday. "Today was my best day since I got hurt ... 100 percent I'll be ready for the playoffs," Nunez said Friday. ... Astros OF Josh Reddick left Boston on Friday to return to Houston for tests on his sore back. He is expected to be ready for the playoffs. ... Boston C Christian Vazquez was scratched in favor of Sandy Leon. No official reason was given, but starter Doug Fister's numbers were better with Leon. ... Astros RHP Lance McCullers makes his second start since returning from his latest DL stint (arm fatigue) Saturday. LHP Drew Pomeranz starts for Boston, but likely would have been skipped if the division was clinched. ... Astros manager A.J. Hinch won't start LHP Dallas Keuchel Sunday, going with RH Collin McHugh, so Boston doesn't see Keuchel twice in five days if the teams meet in the playoffs. ... 3B Michael Chavis and LH Jalen Beeks were named Boston's minor league player and pitcher of the year, respectively.